Barmaid wins record passive smoking damages

A woman who developed throat cancer from years of passive smoking while working as a barmaid was awarded record damages today in a landmark Australian court decision applauded by anti-smoking groups.

Marlene Sharp, 62, sued the Port Kembla Returned and Services League Club, a military veterans’ group, for negligence, claiming her cancer was caused by breathing patrons’ tobacco smoke at the club between 1984 and 1995.