Heavy Smoker: Question

[Iceslip]

I am a 24-year old who has been smoking off and on for the pat 4 years (hard college days, of course).  When I say off and on, I mean that over 4 years, I have spent about 6 months smoking daily, and otherwise smoking on weekends only, with periods of absolute abstinence for a few months at points.  I am quitting now (of course the health issues, but mainly because my lifestyle and life are changing both professionally and personally).

I am curious as to what the permanent lung damage would be for now?  While I understand this may be an overly broad question, any thoughts?  I always knew the consequences of smoking and consciously knew I would stop once my lifestyle induced it (getting engaged, moving out of NYC, etc. which is happening now).  In the periods when I have taken 2-3 months off, only the first few weeks give me the requisite coughing, throat clearing etc., but I have never had anything like coughing up blood or even color tinged sputum, phlegm, etc.

[BUTCH1]

i smoked for fifty years (less than a pack a day) and for the past year my legs are very weak, I believe that the smoking caused this problem.

[blackrose]

Hi,sense you where never smoking that much,and you have quit in the past,and then restart,your lungs should be fine.The smokers cough you are referring to will deminish in about a month.There shouldn't be no permanent damage done.You are still young,and your lungs will heal them selves in time.Just make sure you don't take the nasty habit back up,it will be harder to quit as you get older.I should know I'm 34 years old,I have been smoking for about,7 years.So take the smokers cough and be done with smoking permanently.Good luck with your move and your marriage.                                                                                                                                                                        Blackrose