No, it never leaves, at least for me. The body remembers the "feel" and "taste" but not the discomfort of hacking coughing and choking on phlegm. The brain must take charge and overrule the cravings................
Once an addict, always an addict??? I grew up one of four children in a home with two smoking parents. Three of us took up the habit, only one still smokes. I never smoked in my house or car or around nonsmokers — I made it as inconvenient as possible and quitting was the hardest thing I ever did. Good luck to both of you.