Raptor had very bad asthma when he was smoking heavily, daylia. And I think he's still got it now that he quit, but I'm not sure. I do know he used to cough for an hour after waking up in the morning. I think he coughs less now. Again, I'm not sure. Ask him.

I can see how the coating of mucus might protect the lungs from certain irritants.

Another angle on this: When people quit using any drug they go through withdrawal symptoms and become more sensitive to various things. So I'm not surprised that this would happen to a smoker who quit. It's like your system gets a chance to wake up and smell the roses...or the stuff that isn't so pleasant as the roses.

I know for sure that smoking damages the singing voice. So does drinking too much whisky. :-) Listen to Bob Dylan for proof of both of those.

I figure I'm going to die anyway, so I guess I'll chance going without the coating of mucus in the interim.