I have gone from a 2 pack a day smoker to under a pack a day.
I can definately live without the gruffer quality.
It would be more of a test of my vocals without all that damage anyway.

You must also like Heart, Polly.
Ann Wilson kind of sounds like a female Robert Plant.

I would think smoking would hurt in that projection.
I don't know if either Robert Plant or Ann Wilson smoke cigarettes (outside of the wacky kind).
I know I can hold my voice longer since I cut down.