Retired late-night talk show host Johnny Carson has confirmed reports that he suffers from emphysema, a spokesperson for Carson Productions said Thursday.
Carson's response came to a National Enquirer story that hits the stands Friday and says that the 76 year-old has been fighting the disease for years.
Cigarette smoking often causes emphysema, an inflation of the air sacks in the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath and coughing.
Carson said he is \it is not causing me any major problems.""
Carson hosted NBC's ""The Tonight Show"" from 1962 to 1992. He often smoked on-air.
According to The Associated Press, Carson, who has made efforts to remain out of the public eye since his retirement, often enjoys cruising on his custom-built, triple-decker, 130-foot boat.
