Passive smoking case reaches High Court

A nurse who claims that she was forced to give up her job because she had to work in a smoke filled communal lounge took a landmark case to the High Court in Manchester last week.

Sylvia Sparrow, aged 60, should learn soon whether her action, the first damages claim over passive smoking to reach court in Britain, has been successful. Mrs Sparrow, a state enrolled nurse, is suing St Andrew's Homes, former owners of Worsley Lodge residential home, for failing to provide a safe working environment. A ruling in her favour could open the way for a flood of similar claims.

Mrs Sparrow, from Swinton, Manchester, left …