Can a heavy tobacco user be given life insurance?

Can a chronic tobacco user be given life insurance? Yes, there are habitual smokers all over the place who obtain life insurance.

Heavy smokers, like all users of tobacco, are penalized by insurance providers for their habit. A tobacco user will have a higher risk of premature death from an actuarial perspective. However, there is no such thing as a category for "chronic smoker" in life insurance premium pricing. Chronic smokers and social smokers are virtually identical for the vast majority of insurance firms. In fact, you could be given a smoker classification and still be given the "select" rates you desire to obtain low premium rates. The "Select" tobacco user does in fact exist. These folks pay less money than Standard health risks but still more than Preferred Non-Smoker.
Habitual users of tobacco are far more likely to experience healthy problems than non-smokers. But if you would call yourself a chronic tobacco user, you should be ready to have your premiums increased for other factors that are indirectly related to your very bad smoking habit.
If you are such a heavy tobacco user that you suck in more than two packs a day, you probably aren't participating in much physical exercise. On your questionnaire, this will need to be disclosed. If you let them know that you abhor exercise, this could factor in to their decision to issue you at a higher rate classification. A slew of health problems are more apt to be in your future health-wise as a result of your habit of tobacco use. Likewise, if you are currently on medication for any health issues, expect your rates to be raised.

So, once again, while there is no test or category for "chronic smoker" in life insurance, your habit is likely to be cropping up in other ways in your life; and these other ways are likely to raise your payments. If you are younger heavy smoker, these other health issues are less likely to have yet taken hold on you, so you may still be given at least a Standard Smoker rating, or even Preferred Tobacco user if you are blessed with some very good genes.