Prairie State Wire

Illinois smokers are going to be placed high on the priority list for the COVID-19 vaccination. Good news to smokers but some are questioning its logic.

It is the state’s protocol that people with high-risk medical conditions, senior citizens and essential workers be given top priority for the COVID-19 vaccines. Smokers fall under the serious medical condition category because prolonged smoking can lead to severe health issues.

And according to the CDC, smokers are at a greater risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease.

Dr. Samuel Kim, who is a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said that smokers are more vulnerable because the chemicals in a cigarette can compromise a person’s immune system, which makes it harder to fight off diseases.

But some residents are questioning the logic of this move.

Emily Abarquez said that smoking for her is a lifestyle choice, one which she says any person could easily give up if he or she wanted to. She asks why the state should prioritize smokers based on a medical condition that they can easily avoid?

Also, Abarquez said there’s a risk in prioritizing smokers for the vaccine. She said that smoking is a habit that’s easy to pick up so if someone finds out that smokers will be prioritized for the vaccine then that person might as well start smoking a pack just to get ahead on the list.