Quit smoking coughing up black phlegm. Tobacco smoke paralyzes and destroys some of the tiny hair-like structures in the airways called cilia. The journey can be riddled with challenges, one of which many ex-smokers face is coughing up phlegm. The cough is usually temporary and might actually be a sign that your body is starting to heal. In conditions like bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis, phlegm often takes on a dark hue due to the presence of blood, indicating chronic inflammation. After six to eight weeks you should no longer have a productive cough/smokers cough. My guess is that if you start running regularly, you'll begin coughing up a lot of remnant junk. Quitting smoking is a monumental step towards better health. This cough can develop while smoking or after quitting smoking. Smoking also causes phlegm to thicken in your lungs, triggering more coughing. When you stop smoking, the cilia regrow and Aug 2, 2025 ยท When you quit smoking, the cilia in your lungs regrow and become active, often resulting in increased coughing as they help expel mucus. yahaw fdd8z qn0qmv sxx bd6mu yfrth v9kybd iwml2u be frekg