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Leonard Nimoy urges smokers to 'quit now' as he battles lung disease

Leonard Nimoy, best known for his portrayal of Spock on "Star Trek," is urging his fans to give up smoking after revealing that he had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Nimoy had initially alerted fans to his diagnosis on Jan. 29.Though that initial announcement included a hope that fans would stop smoking, he began renewing that call on Thursday.According to the National
Image: Leonard Nimoy
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Actor Leonard Nimoy attends \"The Glass Menagerie\" Broadway Opening Night at Booth Theater on September 26, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)Getty Images file

Leonard Nimoy, best known for his portrayal of Spock on "Star Trek," is urging his fans to give up smoking after revealing that he had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Smokers,+please+understand.+If+you+quit+after+you're+diagnosed+with+lung+damage+it's+too+late.+Grandpa+says+learn+my+lesson.+Quit+now.+LLAP.

—+Leonard+Nimoy+(@TheRealNimoy)+February+6,+2014+

I'm+doing+OK.+Just+can't+walk+distances.+Love+my+life,family,+friends+and+followers.+LLAP

—+Leonard+Nimoy+(@TheRealNimoy)+February+6,+2014+

Nimoy had initially alerted fans to his diagnosis on Jan. 29.

I+quit+smoking+30+yrs+ago.+Not+soon+enough.+I+have+COPD.+Grandpa+says,+quit+now!!+LLAP

—+Leonard+Nimoy+(@TheRealNimoy)+January+30,+2014+

Though that initial announcement included a hope that fans would stop smoking, he began renewing that call on Thursday.

Image: Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy at JFK airport in New York in January.Today

According to the National Institutes of Health, COPD is a slowly advancing problem that makes it hard to breathe. The leading cause is "long-term exposure to substances that irritate and damage the lungs," usually cigarette smoke.

In January, the actor was spotted at JFK airport in a wheelchair, and photographed with a breathing tube in his nose

He retired from attending sci-fi conventions in 2011, but still supports his old show via Twitter.

As for that "LLAP" he ends his tweets with? It's the old Vulcan saying from "Star Trek," which undoubtedly his fans are wishing him these days: "Live long and prosper."