What could cause a bead-sized lump in the throat of a smoker?

Hi doctor,

I am a 24-year-old male. I do not drink but I have a four-year history of smoking tobacco/vaping. I have been using nicotine-free smoke for the past six months. Also, I have been recently diagnosed with GERD and I am taking Omeprazole when needed. I rarely take Omeprazole once or twice a week. I also take the tablet Atorvastatin 20 mg.

I have what feels like a bead-sized lump in my throat. Sometimes, the feeling persists for a few hours, and it disappears for weeks. I have experienced this around five to six times in the past year. I feel like something is stuck in my throat, and then it goes the next day. This time, however, the sensation has been present for three days, and I am slowly starting to go insane with how annoying this feeling is. It does not feel painful. I can breathe and talk just as usual. When I am physically or mentally inactive, I become aware of this issue. It is especially annoying when I try to sleep. Though I am aware that I should not stick my fingers down my throat, I try doing it I reach well past my uvula and down my throat and I could feel at the end of my finger something like a loose flap of squishy yet firm tissue that I believe to be the end of my epiglottis. That location of what I believe to be my epiglottis is where I am experiencing this 'stuck bead' kind of throat sensation. Otherwise, I feel healthy. I am unsure if I am:

1. Experiencing minor inflammation near my epiglottis resulting in my ability to be aware of its existence in my throat.
2. Experiencing a symptom of GERD.
3. Suffering from Globus.
4. Beginning of a potentially more serious issue such as a benign or cancerous tumor.
5. Other issues.

Kindly help.

Thank you.