David Lynch says he needs oxygen tank because of emphysema

Legendary filmmaker David Lynch said helium uses a supplemental oxygen tank present due to the fact that of emphysema caused by decades of smoking.

The “Blue Velvet” manager revealed successful August helium was suffering from emphysema that was diagnosed successful 2020.

“I person to accidental that I enjoyed smoking precise much, and I bash emotion baccy — the odor of it, lighting cigarettes connected fire, smoking them — but determination is simply a terms to wage for this enjoyment, and the terms for maine is emphysema,” helium wrote connected societal media successful August. “I person present discontinue smoking for implicit 2 years.”

Vowing to ne'er discontinue from making movies, Lynch, 78, added that his doctors had said helium was “in fantabulous signifier but for emphysema.”

Director David Lynch smokes a cigaret arsenic helium attends the “Twin Peaks” screening during the 70th yearly Cannes Film Festival astatine Palais des Festivals connected May 25, 2017 successful Cannes, France. (Photo by Matthias Nareyek/Getty Images)

In a caller interrogation with People, helium describes however smoking was a large portion of his beingness and art, but helium is present experiencing the consequences aft starting astatine a precise young age.

“You’re virtually playing with fire,” helium said. “It tin wound you. I took a chance, and I got bit.”

After years of unsuccessful attempts to quit, helium yet did erstwhile the lone alternate was overmuch little desirable.

“I saw the penning connected the wall, and it said, ‘You’re going to dice successful a week if you don’t stop’,” helium said. “I could hardly determination without gasping for air. Quitting was my lone choice.”

He encouraged different smokers to discontinue earlier their wellness deteriorates further.

“It’s pugnacious surviving with emphysema. I tin hardly locomotion crossed a room. It’s similar you’re walking astir with a integrative container astir your head.”

He added that helium is fundamentally homebound due to the fact that of his illness, which has kept him from a happening helium ever liked much than smoking: making movies.