Can your lungs completely heal themselves as long as you quit smoking at an early age?

Most people find that they are reasonably comfortable after a couple of months. The nicotine leaves your system within 24 hours, unless you are using replacement therapy (which we highly recommend -- the patch in particular, since it does not support the oral habit).

It is the readjustment of your brain to living without foreign stimulation that takes a long time. Experts believe that it never completely recovers, because a very few cigarettes years later can result in a full-blown addiction very rapidly.

There are habits that take a long time to get over, as well, such as reaching for a cigarette at certain times: on the phone, after a meal, with a drink, while driving, etc. This writer was appalled to find himself reaching toward his breast pocket for a smoke during an argument with his wife -- more than 10 years after he had completely quit.

Perhaps the most important advice we can give is to keep in mind that EVERY reason you come up with for having a smoke is simply an excuse to feed your addiction. There is no good reason. The weight gain can be dealt with by exercise, and depression and other emotional symptoms, if present, can be supported by Nicotine Anonymous and counseling if needed.