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Health officials are revising the rules.
As it stands now, those with “underlying health conditions” are eligible for vaccine in Phase 1c — possibly as early as April.
Those include smoking, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions and cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Some doctors say science supports making smoking an underlying health condition. This makes smokers eligible for the vaccine before the general public.

Doctors say smokers:
• Have an increased risk of contracting covid-19.
•  Are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.

•  May require admission to the ICU and be placed on ventilators.

“From a resource standpoint, these patients are sick for long periods of time,” Dr. Patrick Looser at LowCountry Cardiology told WYFF-TV. 
“If we can vaccinate them and prevent these severe cases of illnesses, we can free hospitals to treat other patients.”
Dr. Looser said he understands arguments against giving smokers an early preference.
“It’s a complex, ethical question to answer,” he said. 
“Some people can make the argument smoking is a choice. They’ve chosen to do this to themselves and should not be prioritized. 
"What we’re seeing in the hospital, it would make sense to prevent severe cases of infection 1st and vaccinate the highest risk group 1st.”
He agrees with the CDC guidelines that put smokers 1st because they are at a higher risk for infection.

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