0. 1 year after smoking does it take for the lungs to recover. Smoking is the worst thing for lungs, so you should take best medication after quitting smoking. By taking fresh fruits and vegetables you can recover your lungs.. 1 year after smoking does it take for the lungs to recover. Smoking is the worst thing for lungs, so you should take best medication after quitting smoking. By taking fresh fruits and vegetables you can recover your lungs.