Star Trek’s “Spock,” or Leonard Simon Nimoy in real life, admitted that he is suffering from a lung disease and advised smokers to stop the bad habit.
Nimoy, who is a well-known American actor, film director, poet, singer and photographer, announced in his Twitter account @TheRealNimoy that though he had ceased smoking three decades ago, he still developed a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). About 10.1 million American adults, or 4.4 percent of the population, were diagnosed with the same disease the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics.
“I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP [Live Long And Prosper],” he tweeted.
COPD is the umbrella term for the lung diseases characterized by chronically poor airflow like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Its typical symptoms are shortness of breath and productive cough. Majority of COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking.
In another tweet days later, he urged 808,000 followers to quit smoking, stating, “Smokers, please understand. If you quit after you're diagnosed with lung damage it's too late. Grandpa says learn my lesson. Quit now.”
Nimoy, 82, was recently seen attached to an oxygen tank via breathing tubes while being pushed in a wheelchair on Monday at a Kennedy Airport in New York, USA Today reported.
Seeing a photo of Spock sitting in a wheelchair definitely made his fans worried; and as a way to calm and reassure them, he posted another tweet saying, “I'm doing OK. Just can't walk distances. Love my life,family, friends and followers.”
Regardless of his delicate condition, he is still busy fulfilling his work commitments and anything that involves the Star Trek world. He even shared in Twitter that he just finished his latest project and thanked his fans and followers for their outpouring and overwhelming concerns.
“Just taped my comments for Star Trek Fest to be aired on EPIX Feb. 16th. Still enjoying my life. LLAP,” he said.
