Smoking does delay healing. It starves areas of oxygen, and can make your throat sore. Try hard to dump them. I developed a throat condition, even though I quit many years ago. It is a lesson to pay attention to. I only wish you well, and know very well how hard it is. I went cold turkey out in Ma, and then had to drive to MO. over 1,300 miles with nothing. Humph. I was so crabby the cat wouldn't sit on my lap or come near me. I remember it well. Just believe in yourself, and know you are worth the effort to get rid of them. I usually don't go on so about smoking, its just now that I am 60 with some funky throat thing, I wonder what my own future will be. Take care, get well soon, and be good to yourself. ginnie