Cigarette Ban Causes Death?

The brother of the Guernica bouncer who was killed during an altercation after hauling out some patrons who were smoking told reporters that he blamed the smoking ban for the death. And what's more, the late Dana Blake, hated the ban! Brother Tony said, "The smoking ban did initiate this thing — it's obvious. He hated it because he smoked. They kind of threw this at him." The trial of Isais Umali, whose knife skills proved fatal that night, continues.

The City has claimed the smoking ban did not hurt bar business. People discussed the one year anniversary of the smoking ban in the forums.

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By Jen Chung in News on October 27, 2004 10:53 AM

Comments [rss]

BrianVan

Whee indeed. I remember arguing about this on here months ago. It's all in good fun for me just to argue the ban itself (hey, it's gotta be, right? Does this stuff really REALLY affect anyone's lives? How often does one spend time in a bar? 6-8 hours a week max?).

The death is tragic, but of course the media is running with the "murder by smoking ban!" headline. I guess that sells copies. I think it's interesting - maybe a little sad - that they kept going with this story, as if it were morally justifiable to use a tragic event as a wedge against the ban. And they think that's taking the high road compared to the way Bloomberg implemented the ban!

Whatever. I'm wholly in favor of it as well. New York is still open for business, just less smoky and stinky. I'll take that over any "lost character" that people seem to miss because they have to step outside for a second to have a smoke. knuckleheads.

meesalikeu

if only smoking was merely annoying. however, it's downright unhealthy. i have terrible asthma but now i can and do go out all the time it's great. world police yourself!

world police

Yes, you are absolutely correct: let's make all annoying things illegal. Something bug you? Ticket it. Does it get on your nerves--or worse yet, on your clothes? Elect representatives to legislate it away. Something really bother you? Mandate jail time.

Let's make more laws purely to mold social behavior. It's okay, because it makes our lives easier. Let's make our quality of life live up to our standard, because everyone knows it's the only standard. It's okay--because it's the American Way (TM). [thumbs up]

Jen

Whee! Actually, Gothamist is more obsessed with bizarre NYC crime than cigarettes (on the whole, we're as non-smoking as they come). I actually like the smoking ban, as I don't reek and my contacts aren't trying to fall out. But I am fascinated with the scuffle that turns deadly and the proclamations from relatives.

BrianVan

Oi. Why are we still beating on this topic? You have such major issues with this ban. I'd assume that this got in the way of a 10-pack-a-day habit for the Gothamist crew. Or so you would think. It's a little over-the-top to blame the smoking ban for the bouncer's death. Repeatedly.

erikka

Call me crazy, but I'd call a knife to a major artery the cause of death. This case is about as flimsy as Scott Peterson claiming Satanist kidnapped his wife for their rituals.