Gagging/vomiting

My husband has been having a problem for about a year (luckily not constantly) with gagging/coughing to the point of vomiting or producing phlegm. He is a smoker (a pack or more a day) and a drinker (6-12 or more a day, leans toward more). His cholesterol and triglyceride levels are high. He has been treated for high blood pressure in the past, but only gets hbp when in a medical setting. He has consistently monitored his blood pressure daily and has always had normal readings when not at a doctors office. He has spoke with a doctor about this situation and he was not concerned. Once when being examined by a doctor with a tongue despressor, the gagging ensued and produced vomit/phlegm. That doctor stated that it was allergies. He has never had allergies. I was thinking that it may have been due to gerd. I know this is not a definate diagnosis, but we would like somewhere to start.