Try to keep home and working environments at a relative humidity of 40 percent or more. Repeatedly clearing the throat or coughing may damage vocal fold tissues. Sipping water, swallowing or sucking on a cough drop may ease the irritation in the throat. Frequent heartburn and a sour taste may mean stomach acids are spilling over into your larynx, which may lead to voice problems. Elevate your head with extra pillows or raise the head of the bed.
Smoking is the leading cause of laryngeal cancer.
At the very least, smoking irritates tissues used for singing and talking. These tips were taken from the National Center for Voice and Speech.