Researchers found the same life-extending benefits are achieved from consuming two tomatoes each day.
However, the protective effects stems only from fresh varieties - meaning canned or processed tomatoes and apples don't work.
Natural decline in lung function over 10 years was slower among former smokers with a diet high in tomatoes and fruits, especially apples.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health scientists concluded the benefits are derived from two tomatoes or three fruits each day.
They suggested apples were the fruit that packed the strongest punch due to its abundance of chemicals that are good for the lungs.
The findings offer hope of a way for smokers to avoid developing the incurable chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
What is COPD?
COPD is the umbrella term for diseases from emphysema to acute bronchitis which can cause wheezing and breathlessness.
Figures suggest around 1.2 million Britons and more than 11 million Americans are living with the potentially fatal COPD.
Lead author Dr Vanessa Garcia-Larsen said: 'This study shows that diet might help repair lung damage in people who have stopped smoking.
"It also suggests that a diet rich in fruits can slow down the lung's natural aging process even if you have never smoked.
"The findings support the need for dietary recommendations, especially for people at risk of developing respiratory diseases such as COPD."
-Dailymail