Effects - tobacco smoke and voice

[Corksil]

Hey, I've been a tobacco smoker for years. Recently it seems I've lost my voice.. When I'm chillin w/friends and I occasionally come up w/something to say, it seems like my voice isn't there. Everyone will be sitting around discussing random things like world peace and I'll open my mouth to add my two cents - but it seems like my voice is gone. I'm the only smoker among the group, and I'm wondering if it's tobacco related. I used to be able to open up and vocalize, but now it seems I can't really get past the first few words without stumbling or feeling choked up. It's kinda irritating to want to say something and have your voice sound so weak ppl don't take you seriously and ignore your attempt.

It didn't used to happen, back when I smoked close to the same amount. Nowadays I'm smoking just under a pack a day, and my voice seems to have declined over the past few weeks. Is it tobacco related? I read somewhere that nicotine tenses the muscles in the throat related to speech and can result in a higher pitched voice but I would describe it as a choking sensation. It's distracting because ppl notice it and realize it didn't used to be there - and seems I can't get out more than a few words w/o some kind of vocal faltering/stumbling speech etc etc. My voice sounds so weak and timid now I feel I don't have the same communication skills when I open my mouth to speak. It's not that I can't articulate, it's that ppl seem to find it odd and talk to others or ignore my attempts.

Does anyone else notice nicotine/cigarettes affect their voice? I smoke Marlboro Red 100s btw if that makes any difference. Thanks, I want my communication skills back!