He once was a chain-smoker who was known to smoke as many as four packs of cigarettes a day, Emmerich has often included in his films characters who are trying to quit smoking or warn against the dangers of tobacco use.
Cunoscut într-o vreme ca fumând până la patru pachete de țigări pe zi, Emmerich a inclus deseori în filmele sale personaje care încearcă să renunțe la fumat și/sau avertizează asupra pericolului reprezentat de tutun.