Smoking and the lungs

I stopped smoking recently after smoking for more than 30 years. I want to know if my lungs can return to normal healthy status

Kayode (by SMS)

It depends how long the smoking has been going on. Over time, many benefits of quitting, including increased lung capacity will start to emerge. After quitting smoking, dormant cells in the lungs will start to replace the damaged lung cells the airways. This leads to gradual healing and regeneration of your lungs, as well as a decreased risk of lung cancer.

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The lungs begin healing right away after quitting smoking, which is why quitting sooner than later can lead to better overall health. Quitting smoking is one of the smartest things you can do to improve your overall health. Your lungs start healing immediately the moment you stop smoking. However, the length of time it takes for the lungs to fully heal is different for everyone.