New York killing blamed on smoking ban

New York's smoking ban reached new heights of controversy when a bouncer was stabbed to death for asking a smoker to put out his cigarette.

A law banning smoking in bars and restaurants in New York came into effect two weeks ago at the behest of the mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

Dana Blake, 32, a bouncer in the Guernica bar in the East Village, approached two brothers, Jonathan and Ching Chan, in a crowded basement early on Sunday and asked for the cigarette to be put out.

When Jonathan Chan started to argue, Mr Blake grabbed him by his neck and dragged him towards the exit, to throw him out, the police said.

Jonathan fought back and his brother and two others joined in. As the fighting spilled into the street, Blake was stabbed in the abdomen.

"It all started over a cigarette," said Travis Keyes, the owner of the next door bar. "It's so ironic: something that's supposed to save lives has already taken a life."

The Chan brothers were both charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest, while the police try to determine who stabbed Blake.

The anti-smoking law was introduced on April 1, but New York authorities have said they will not enforce it rigorously until the beginning of next month. In the past two weeks, bar owners say they have seen a drop in business.