Point of clarification: No one is actually "allergic to cigarette smoke"

[Robb]

Cigarette smoke contains a fair number of chemicals and irritants.

People with other allergies are often more sensitive to those chemicals and irritants. They are equally likely to be irritated by other chemicals, which can cause chronic or acute damage to respiratory tissue in anyone.

Bad reaction to cigarette smoke is not immunologically based. It is not abnormal or inappropriate. It is not a pathological immune reaction to an antigen.

Many studies have actually shown nicotine to be immunosuppressive.

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

1. true enough...

but some people are still going to insist that they are 'allergic.'

[regnaD kciN]

2. Isn't that a little like saying...

...that no one is allergic to a thermonuclear explosion?

:shrug:

[ChoralScholar]

3. When I'm sneezing 10-15 times in a row,

I'm not real interested in verbal semantics.

[Not_Giving_Up]

4. I agree

However, back in the eighties, when I was in high school, I had an allergy test done. It said I was allergic to cigarette smoke. I wonder if they tested for a certain brand?

Note - I grew up to be a smoker, and now have adult onset asthma.

[WeRQ4U]

5. If it makes my throat close and my eyes and nose water,

I don't care WHAT you call it.

[auntAgonist]

6. when exposed to

it for a period of time, i have trouble breathing, my lungs hurt, my eyes sting and i often throw up. the word ALLERGY works for me.
It's semantics.

I don't hang around where there are smokers, i just can't.


aA