TheBadger,
Thanks for the post.
With respect to the lungs, the thinking is that lung changes stop after approximately 10 years of smoking cessation. The effect on the vasculature after smoking cessation is less clear, and certainly people respond differently. It is clear, however, that smoking leads to vascular disease during the time of smoking.
A recent review appeared in the March, April, or May issue of the Journal of American College of Cardiology.
Best of luck.