**David Lynch Advocates Against Smoking as He Battles Emphysema**

Renowned filmmaker David Lynch, known for his iconic works such as "Twin Peaks," is confronting severe health complications after a lifetime of smoking. The 78-year-old director was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in 2020. Now reliant on supplemental oxygen for even simple activities like walking, Lynch reflects on his smoking habit with a mix of nostalgia and regret.

In a recent interview with People, Lynch revealed that he began smoking at the tender age of 8 and continued the habit for almost his entire life. "A big important part of my life was smoking," Lynch admitted. He fondly recalled loving the smell, taste, and ritual of lighting cigarettes, elements that became intertwined with his identity as a painter and filmmaker.

Despite the joy he derived from smoking, Lynch now warns others about the profound health risks associated with the habit. "In the back of every smoker's mind is the fact that it's unhealthy, so you're literally playing with fire. It can bite you. I took a chance, and I got bit," he stated. The director shared that he made numerous attempts to quit smoking over the years, but always relapsed. However, the dire prognosis he received two years ago finally compelled him to stop for good.

"I saw the writing on the wall. It said, 'You're going to die in a week if you don't stop,'" Lynch recounted. The realization that he could barely move without gasping for air left him with no other choice but to quit. Now, with a focus on his body's healing, Lynch acknowledges the challenges of living with emphysema, likening it to "walking around with a plastic bag around your head."

Forced to remain home to minimize his risk of catching even a common cold, Lynch reflects on the hefty toll of his smoking habit. Although he describes it as a "big price to pay," he holds no regrets, expressing a wish common to many addicts: that the things they love could be good for them.

Lynch hopes that his story will serve as a cautionary tale for others. "I really wanted to get this across: Think about it. You can quit these things that are going to end up killing you," he urged. "I owe it to them - and to myself - to say that."