David Lynch reveals he started smoking at age 8 and now uses oxygen supplement to walk

Filmmaker David Lynch has spoken out about the dangers of smoking, revealing he started smoking at the age of eight and now requires supplemental oxygen to walk even small distances. In August, the Twin Peaks The director revealed that he was diagnosed with emphysema, a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath.
Lynch turned to »

Today, the lifelong smoker encourages others to quit and sets his own example. While speaking to People magazine, Lynch revealed the exact extent of his emphysema, saying he requires supplemental oxygen for most activities. “I can barely walk across a room. It’s like you’re walking around with a plastic bag around your head,” the director revealed.

Lynch told People that smoking had been “a very important part of my life…it was part of my job as a painter and a filmmaker.”

Lynch was often photographed smoking during public outings and press interactions – and his love was also evident on screen with characters from Twin Peaks and movies like Blue velvet And Mulholland Drive lighting up regularly.

The director had quit smoking “many, many times” over the years. “But when it got tough, I’d have my first cigarette, and it was a one-way ticket to heaven. Then you start smoking again.

No Tobacco Day 2024: 7 foods that can help you quit smoking

Even after being diagnosed with emphysema in 2020, the director admitted he didn’t stop for two years. “I saw the writing on the wall and it said, ‘You’re going to die in a week if you don’t stop,'” Lynch told People. “I could barely move without gasping for air. Quitting was my only choice.

Right now, Lynch is mostly housebound due to his illness and fears catching an infection that could make the illness worse.

This made working on a film set impossible, although he said he was open to directing remotely in the future. His last feature film dates from 2006 Inner Empire, and his last major film project was 2017’s Twin Peaks reboot, although he continued to direct webisodes, short films and music videos, most recently as part of his collaboration with American singer Chrystabell.

Lynch admits he paid the price for tobacco, but he doesn’t regret it but wants others to learn from his experience. “I really wanted to get this across: think about it. You can let go of those things that will ultimately kill you.