My son has switched to a smokeless cigarette trying to quit.  I was unaware recently that he was smoking in the car I was riding in but suddenly had difficulty breathing.  My throat felt like it was closing up.  He immediately rolled his window down and turned the device off.  He said he had never seen anyone react to his cigarette in this manner.  After a brief time my breathing was normal and the constrictive feeling  in my throat disappeared.  Was this an allergic reaction?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Yes, this can be the acute allergic reaction due to cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke carries many harmful chemicals. When inhaled, in some people, it can cause allergic reaction. Allergic reaction causes laryngospasm, bronchospasm and coughing. All these give symptoms of choking, breathing difficulty etc. Your symptoms relieved by its own once the exposure has been cut. So all these suggest acute allergic reaction two cigarette smoke. So better to avoid such exposure in the future. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.