To be honest I don't notice a difference in dream recall whether I smoke or not. I think that if you change your daily routine, whatever that may be, it will have an effect on your dreams. So if you usually smoke alot and then stop, it will affect your dream recall. And vice versa.

Also welcome to the forum...isn't it the best freaking feeling ever when you are in a dream/nightmare and you realize you're dreaming and start doing a victory dance!? lol. Next time though, so you don't wake yourself up, hold off on the celebrating until your LD is a little more stable.