Smoker fumes over operation

MANCHESTER - A pensioner turned down a vital operation because the hospital has a smoking ban

MANCHESTER - A pensioner turned down a vital operation because the hospital has a smoking ban. Mr James Parkinson (67), declined a prostate operation because he could not face four days in the Old ham Hospital without a cigarette.

Meanwhile, the state of Texas said yesterday it was filing a $4 billion lawsuit against the tobacco industry - to reimburse it for money spent on the care of victims of tobacco related diseases.