YOUR COMMENTS

Way to go Mr. Radion! Keep the "Live Free Or Die!" motto going. Next time I visit Newport I will certainly buy a book from your store and have a smoke while I'm there. Thank you for standing up for the freedoms and rights of property owners and smokers, and even the non-smokers because it's their freedom to smoke too even if they choose not to. As for the rest of you freedom haters I understand there is plenty of room for you in Massachusetts.
- JOSEPH, Mishawaka, Indiana

Kudos to Mr. Radion. As a former smoker, I don't endorse the habit, but it is very ignorant of those who have either never smoked or who have been able to kick the addiction to crucify those who either choose not to quit , or have tried but to no avail. In our diminishing freedoms in our State, I wish that I could exercise the right to become a Private Club like Mr. Radion. However, my establishment serves liqour and there are a whole slew of Rules, Regulations and Must Dos in order to become a private club. It would end up being more of a loss financially for my business then having to impose a smoking ban already has been on my livliehood.
- Nancy, Salem

Another misconception is that smoking is a "lifestyle", to be glorified and protected like speech, religion, or sexual orientation. It is not. It is a drug addiction that shortens your life, creates an enormous burden for the healthcare industry, and makes life and the environment unpleasant for those who choose NOT to poision themselves. It's a "death-style" that pollutes the air around you, and lowers your quality of life. Its not a right to be protected, there is NO constitutional right to pollute or be a self-centered, seflish, obnoxious jerk.
The supreme court clearly says that my right to swing my fist ends where your face begins. In smokers terms-you are infringing on MY right to breathe clean air when you smoke in public, enclosed places. Private clubs aside, you have no "right" to smoke anywhere unless you never exhale and blow it in my face.
- joe T., derry, NH

While we are at it, let's raise the premiums of overweight people, because they chose to eat so much right? How about drinkers? They chose to drink their entire life, now my insurance premiums are going up because of their liver problems? Lets just let the government tell us what to eat, drink, and smoke, all for the sake of insurance!
- Leo, Manchester

DR, Bedford. You also mean the auto drivers that drive faster than the posted speeds because " everybody eles does"?

Leno, Raymond
- Leno Hebert, Raymond

A small victory for personal freedom over the nanny state mentality. Good for you Mr. Radion.
- Todd, Manchester

Nothing worse than a bunch of do gooder, holier than thou, ex smokers who think they have it all figured out. I used to smoke but do not look down at or fell sad for those who still do. It is a bad habit, that takes 8 years off of the end of your life. What about the male homosexual life style that takes 20 or more years off of the average life? Where is the outrage on that.
- jon, wolfeboro

To Chuck Russek from Londonderry...Contrary to what you may choose to believe, I am not a "reformed" anything. I'd be rather a hypocrite if I said that no one should smoke since I smoked four-packs-a-day for twenty or so years and I stated nothing like that in my posting.

What I do believe is you have a choice to smoke or not. If you choose to smoke, as I did, then you have to be willing to accept the consequences of your actions. And one of those consequences IS a shortened life. That's a simple fact.

What I find unreasonable is people who wrap themselves up in the flag, The Constitution, The New Hampshire State Motto and The Bill of Rights in order to justify their actions. The Revolutionary War, and our Founding Fathers, did not fight for independence solely so you could light up a cigarette. it's a bit more than that.
Peace
- Joel, Nashua

I'm not saying this man and his customers have or do not have the right to do this. Fine, it doesn't bother me one way or the other. But I have a feeling General Stark had something a little deeper in mind when he said "Live free or die" than smoking in a bookstore, not using a seat belt, or eating trans fats. I wish people would stop overusing our motto for things like this. It's beginning to lose its true meaning in people's minds, and that is unfortunate.
- Peter, Jaffrey

Way to go Mr. Radion!

The dangers of smoking are grossly exaggerated. Only about 35% of lifetime smokers die of ANY smoking related cause (cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.). Dr. Kip Viscusi did the research on this when he was teaching at Harvard. Only 10% of lifetime smokers ever get lung cancer. The idea that second hand smoke is harmful is positively silly. Think about the amount of smoke a smoker gets compared to the amount anyone could ever conceivably get second hand. I say this as someone who quit almost ten years ago.

Every once in a while I'll enjoy a cigarette. I think the next one I have will be in Mr. Radion's shop.
- Tim, Hooksett

Thank you Mr. Raadion,

For giving smokers a place to enjoy a smoke without feeling like people aren't glaring at you like you are amurderer. I am a non smoker, but I am unnerved every time I hear about a new Law aimed at smokers and limited them when and where they can smoke. My point however is that when they are done regulating smoking what are they going to go after next?

I understand all about second hand smoke and how it can be even more dangerous to people than actually smokng can be but I still feel that smokers are prdjudiced against in amny ways. There is a case in rhode island because a man was having a cook out in his back yard and several of his friends were sitting around the pool smoking. The people next door came out of the house to put their trash away and they are making ahuge case out of it.

And as long as Mr. Radion pays his health care premiums I don't care how much he smokes. It is a fantasy of the health care industry that insurance premiums are raising because of people who are over weight or smoke. Let me tll you this. When they first started saying that I figured out how much over the years I have paid into my health insurance and how much I have actually ysed it. I deducted what I have used from what I have paid in and it would havepaid the health care costs for several smokers and over weight paople. Health insurance companies use these people as tools to justify charging outrageous premiums and doctors and hospitals use these same people as tools to charg outrageous office visit fees etc.
- Steve, Conway

Love it! I will also make a special trip to his store just to offer support. I hate smoking, its a filthy and disgusting habit, but I love individual rights more! Way to go Mr Radion!
- David, Epping

I have no problem with this, but as a book collector, I never want a book that has come from a smoking environment. Over time, they tend to accumulate odors and a grimy film.
- Jim D., Keene

I just want to know how a book store owner could possibly have seen the insanity coming, but not a single restaurant, bar/lounge, or movie theater owner could?! Let the nonsmokers eat, drink, and enjoy life at home instead of banning them from their own state!
- Vikki, Manchester

Is it me or has this been the most peaceful discussion you have ever seen on this site regarding a somewhat controversial subject? At the time of me writing this, 14 comments have been posted, some on either side but all rather respectful of the other. Shockingly it hasn't yet erupted into a huge argument.....'yet' being the operative word there.

Anyway, I don't think smoking is a great lifestyle choice but I also have nothing against the occasional cigar. I'm glad someone is making a statement about their right to choose, however. Cheers!
- Benjamin, Bedford

Lit cigarettes and paper books, what a combo for a big ole fire!
I just can't imagine what those books smell like.
Hey UL: Picture of Mr.Radion looks like he's sitting on a toilet having a great smoke!
Don't worry, I will not be visiting your store ever!
Enjoy your smelly books!
- Lenny B., Bedford NH

Maybe they should pass a law liberating those who pay for private insurance from having to foot the bill bill for these selfish drug addicts. Maybe we should stop paying to keep them alive for years with expensive chemo, operations, and heart transplants. Give them a higher deductables or no co-pays or something. Its your choice to smoke, and its also your choice to live a painful and short life, and I should NOT be paying for YOUR choices through social security, medicare, or private insurance premiums. Good riddance.
The guy who wrote "live free or die" obviously never had to deal with private insurance companies!
- Joe T., Derry, NH

Joel, as a non-smoker that just lost Mom to lung cancer, I am proud of you for conquering your weakness. I’ve no doubt about the conviction it took to overcome your chosen demon. You will be a source of inspiration for those around you that are battling the same weakness. However, I do find your zeal misplaced. As with most “reformed addicts” you seem enlightened about what is best for others. I find presumptuous your opinion that Mr. Radion is “abusing” historical documents to justify his addiction and not aware of the consequences of ANY addiction. Cigarettes and alcohol are relative to all things a person chooses to partake in (through consumption or behavior) that may result in ill affects for themselves (and/or others), including a shorter life span. Legality or acknowledgement is irrelevant. Some would presume that because one goes to church they are claiming righteousness when in fact most are there to seek righteousness they do not have. I could easily presume Joel, that it is you, in fact, abusing our documents of freedom by your own presumptions that Mr. Radion is in effect claiming righteousness. He is merely claiming his natural rights that you nor I have claim to. To deny Mr. Radion this is to deny a sinner the right to seek a higher power. It’s called free will, Sir. Had Mr. Radion blatantly professed a right to his weakness on the taxpayer dime, we’d have a different debate, but I have no reason to believe that he is championing lack of personal responsibility for his actions. Please Joel, don’t confuse those that believe in personal rights and responsibility with those that believe in making tax payers pay for their rights. I believe your opinion is coming from a good place, but I would caution you that everyone has a natural right to walk the freedom trail and get lost.
- Deirdre' Taylor, Goffstown

Mr. Radion certainly has a remarkable business model. Independent thinkers in entrepreneurship are what drive the economy. He should franchise the idea out across the state. I don’t smoke but I’ll be stopping by next time I’m around Newport.
- Tabitha, Londonderry

I hope as Mr. Radion is asserting his independence and constitutional rights he is saving to pay for his own smoking-related health issues. I have no problem with him smoking, he is free to do it. I just don't want to pay him through insurance premiums or Medicare/Medicaid for his choice to engage in an activity that will cause him health issues. The same holds true for those who choose to ride a motorcycle without a helmet and suffer head injuries that would have been otherwise avoided. Live Free or Die - just take responsibility for your freedoms and choices.
- DR, Bedford

I too am a non smoker but believe a business owner has rights and he is asserting them as best he can.

And Joel from Nashua, you just confirm the adage that "There is nothing worse than a reformed "anything"".
- Chuck Russek, Londodnderry, NH

An individual using his own decision making intelligence to do what he likes in his own private establishment on his own property? Nanny Lynch and his "we know better that you" socialists better get their smoking ban police over there in a hurry.

Does this mean it is ok for me to smoke in my own home? oops, I think it is..... they haven't legislated that away yet. key word: YET

Disclaimer: I do not smoke and do not advocate it, however I do not believe our government should be allowed to dictate what private establishments can and cannot do on their own property. If you do not like smoking when you are at a resteraunt, patronize somehwere else and let the owner know why.
- Mark, Nottingham

Hey, it's the guys store, if he wants to smoke, then it's his right. I would never go in his store because I can't stand the smell of smoke. I can only imagine what the books smell like. Ewww. But like I said, it's his store, he can do whatever he wants.
- Beth, Candia

My God!! Someone smoking on his own property?? Think of the children, people.. Throw this man in jail!
- Rich, Derry

I find this entire matter very amusing. I find it absolutely amazing that anyone would champion, and advocate, drug addiction. As a former four-pack-a-day smoker, who quit almost ten years ago, there is no "independent spirit" in the use of tobacco. Nicotine is a drug. It is one of the few products whose side effects from use are well known and are still sold as is alcohol. You may choose to partake of either, as I am a firm believer in free choice, but the use of nicotine will result in a shortened life. That's your choice to make. But, please, don't abuse The Constitution, The Founding Fathers, The Bill of Rights or the New Hampshire state motto to justify your addiction. It was your choice to smoke so own your decision and the consequences.
Peace
- Joel, Nashua

Cheers Mr. Radion!

I'm a nonsmoker, but I fully expect to make a trip up to his store one of these days.
- Andrew Cramb, Dover

Maybe he should try reading up on cancer. He find it to be interesting.
- John, Hooksett

I'll have to go find him. This is what NH should be, a place to live our lives as we wish, without forcing others to bend to us.
- Cathleen, Derry

Mr. Radion is expressing his rights so Kudo's to him. He makes a very valid point about the "live free or die" motto that seems to be diminishing before our very eyes these days so good for him for holding on to what little we have left. I wish you mucho success in your business Mr Radion, and Jason... Ride On!!!
- KD, Manchester

Sounds like a nice little store! I especially love the line, "non smokers are allowed to order books from an OUTSIDE PHONE OR THE MALL.
For all the comments the UL gets about useless articles, here is one that should be commended. Paul, please have my membership card ready!
- Leo, Manchester

Thank you, Mr. Radion! Now, we need to find a restaurant, movie theater, shopping mall and other businesses that respect our Live Free or Die concept. Our elected officials should go back and read the history of our Motto and why it was adopted. Maybe then they would rethink all these silly laws that are passed to appease under-the-table contributions. Our founding fathers must be rolling in their graves after traveling to a new world because of taxation and their lack of freedom.
- Karen B, Manchester

Well "LIVE FREE or DIE" is the New Hampshire Motto1

I intend to be able to smoke a cigar or two in Manchester when I come in for a Hawthorne College Reunion in a fortnight! I can't enjoy one walking in downtown Portland Oregon! If you are within 25 feet of a business door you can not smoke nor are you allowed to smoke in your car and the price of cigars are redicilous with a 85% tobacco tax and 7.5% sales tax on that! Thank God for my visit to NH I was able to send my cigars to a friend in NH! No taxes collected!
- George de Randich, Longview, Washington

Good for Mr. Radion! The independent spirit is why I love NH. Sounds like a good excuse for a motorcycle trip.
- Jason, Newmarket