Smoking is an addiction......addictions to anything always has priority. When one doesn’t have their “fix” anxiety and physical withdrawal symptons begin. So of course they’re going to choose cigs. over food.
I find it interesting that people who eat too much often do so to “comfort” their anxiety as well. They “wear” their addictive habit via pounds of unwanted flesh.
I have a friend who has fought her emotional eating for years. If happy she eats, if sad she eats, no matter what emotion food is her “friend”.
I think it’s similar for people who smoke. It’s routine and equally as enjoyable.
I have read a lot about POW camps in WWII. It has always surprised me how many near starvation inmates would still trade some of their food for tobacco when some was available.