Juice Review: Snitch & Snatch by Fogboss

I had never heard of Fogboss when vapesandjuices.com asked if I wanted to do a review. I had to check out their web-page and I must say I think they've got kind of a cool theme going there. Just have a look at the description of this juice:

SEEING DOUBLE
After being born in prison, these mischievous twins were separated at birth. Fate brought the two together when they each tried to pinch the same gelato shop. Since then, the two have joined as a menacing team.

Not giving to much info about what this juice would taste like there, but the short description on their juice-page gives you some more: Twisted Berry Sorbet.

Snitch & Snatch
Tested on: Kanger Subtank (RDA 0.4 ohm's, 25 watts)

Smelling this juice I was pretty sure I'm going to taste some blueberries in there. And vaping it confirms it. It kind of reminds me of the blueberry taste you get from Kentucky Bluegrass from Epipemods, but without the tobacco. Got kind of a sting to it that I'm not sure how to describe, but it gives a fair bit of throat hit and leaves a tingling sensation on the tongue after exhaling. I see others have described it as kind of a blueberry yogurt and I can't really think of any better way to describe it either. I guess it's one of those juices that you have to try to really have any idea of how it will taste like. Took me a bit by surprise, just like the Kentucky Bluegrass when I first tried it.

This juice is one of those that grows on you. For me it started out pretty good as well. Not that I keep discovering new flavor notes in this one but the ones that are there keeps getting better I guess. And it lives up to the Fogboss name as well, producing lots of vapor so I suspect it's mostly VG. I can't really find the ratio on their web-page or the bottle, something I think they should inform their customers about. However they say they're making Gourmet Dripping E-liquids, so I guess you'd expect them to be high VG.

Anyway, if you'd like to try out a great blueberry/yogurt e-liquid, Snitch & Snatch would be a great place to start, and maybe you'll just end up there as well, cause I haven't really seen to many juices combining those flavors. I'd probably give it like 8 out of 10 cute little giraffe-gifs if I was using that kind of rating system, maybe more if it keeps on growing, but since I don't really use a rating system I'll just say it's pretty damn good and you should try it out.

Again, thanks to vapesandjuices.com for sending me this juice for review.



Disclosure:

• All my reviews are my honest opinion even if I am affiliated with the company manufacturing or selling the product. 
• The juice was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.
• This review contains affiliate links.

Juice Review: Mad Apple by Red Bird Vapes

The last apple juice I tried, the Apple Express from Steamer Elixire, kind of raised the bar when it comes to apple juices for me. Now I got another apple juice sent to me by the guys at vapesandjuices.com.

Mad Apple
Tested on: Aspire Nautilus (1.6 ohm's, 15 watts)

First of all, I have to say that comparing apples to apples isn't really as straight forward as it sounds. In one way it kind of makes sense to compare the Mad Apple to the Apple Express that I reviewed earlier... cause well they are both apple juices. But on the other hand they are two totally different kinds of apple. Where Apple Express is a red ripe apple with hints of cinnamon, Mad Apple goes in a totally different direction aiming to replicate the taste of a green apple candy from Jolly Rancher. That said, let's move on to the Mad Apple.

This juice does smell like apple candy. It doesn't have a really strong smell though. Now I haven't tasted or smelled the actual candy it's trying to replicate so I don't know if they're spot on or not, but vaping it it does taste like apple candy. By that I mean it's sweeter than just green apples I guess. For me the apple comes forth a bit more on the inhale than on the exhale. The exhale is sweeter with less apple. I've vaped it for a while now and the balance seems to change a bit whether you vape it outside in the (relative) cold or inside. Seems more fruity outside... yeah I know... I'm weird.

So do I prefer this or the Apple Express. Personally, I prefer the Apple Express by far, but it all comes down to what you're after and personal preference. I've never really had a thing for apple candy. I mean it's not that I don't like it, it's more like if I have a bunch of mixed fruit toffees, the apple ones are the ones I leave until the end and don't really mind that much if gets taken by others. Actually I'd probably pick a real apple instead of apple candy if I was given the choice. If it's apple candy you're after I'd have no problem recommending this juice, but if it's more like the real thing you want, I'd go for another one.

Thanks to vapesandjuices.com for sending me this juice for review.



Disclosure:

• All my reviews are my honest opinion even if I am affiliated with the company manufacturing or selling the product. 
• The juice was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.
• This review contains affiliate links.

New Danish vaping law postponed

In March I wrote about a new law proposed in Denmark that would in practice ban e-cigarettes and was supposed to take effect already in November this year. Have a look here (scroll down a bit). Today, however, I'm happy to see that the Danish Ministry of Health have decided to postpone the processing of this proposal until the next parliamentary session which would also be after the next election. According to DADAFO (The Danish Union of Vapers) this means that e-cigarettes and vaping at this point will not be included in the new "law on smoke free environment": http://dadafo.dk/lov-om-e-damp-udsaettes/ (in Danish, hope google translate works fairly well). The Ministry of Health say they want to use more time to gather knowledge and information. 

DADAFO believes that this pleasant surprise comes as a result of the huge amount of responses to the request for comment, both from organisations and individuals, as well as the many emails sent to the relevant government instances and even the Minister of Health. The hard work that DADAFO and individual vapers have done has really paid off. Congratulations to you all! And I guess a thank you is also in order, from us Norwegian vapers. This will surely be noticed by Norwegian politicians as well and will make it easier to achieve our goal... to let vaping save as many lives as possible. I'm not sure if the Danish are aware about the commercials that usually hit Norway this time of the year (from Danish travel agencies I guess), but anyway, they have this jingle that goes like this: "It's wonderful to be Norwegian ... in Denmark". I'm glad that will still be true for a while :) (Yup, I'm actually going to Denmark this summer)
 

ATS - helping people breathe ... and keeping their sponsors' cash-flow alive

ATS - helping people breathe ...
and keeping their sponsors' cash-flow alive

Yesterday, forskning.no (forskning is Norwegian for research), a Norwegian online newspaper focusing on international research published an article about a press release by American Thoracic Society (ATS). Several big Norwegian newspapers also followed up and published pretty much the same message: It's not easier to quit using e-cigarettes. It was probably published widely all over the world as well. Who started it and who's just copy-pasting I don't know, and to be honest I don't really care cause it's all just a huge pile of crappy "journalism" and they're all equally guilty of totally neglecting their responsibility to check their sources.

Because what did ATS actually do to produce this press release? Well, this post pretty much sums it up: They picked 4 out of 4569 studies on the subject, only those who enrolled current smokers and compared e-cigarettes to placebo were included as studies of efficacy. When it comes to studies of safety they simply included any study that found something bad about e-cigarettes. In other words, they just cherry-picked whatever supported their agenda: To stop as many smokers as possible from trying to quit using e-cigarettes. But why on earth would the ATS want to do that? I took a quick look at their annual report to see if it might give me some pointers. I guess all the pointers you need is on page 14, where you get a list of their "Corporate Members". Does Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKlein and Novartis sound familiar? Take a look at the press release again:

"Until such data are available, there are a number of other smoking cessation aids available that have a more robust evidence base supporting their efficacy and safety."

Do you see the connection? I'm sure you do, but I'll spell it out anyway for all the "journalists" that are apparently to stupid to see it or to lazy to look for it: This is just propaganda to protect Big Pharma's NRT market! And I'd like to add, just for the so called "journalists" that published stories on this: The sources I've linked to in this post took me 1 google search and about 10 minutes to find and read. It should have taken you about 5, you lazy %&#%&! I suggest you start doing your job, check your sources and stop copy pasting whatever click-bait you come across! Is this really why you became a journalist?

 
Get 15% off with discount code: giraffe15 (log in to use)

The vaping ad that did not happen...

Here in Norway we have a few days when it's illegal to air normal commercials on TV. This is Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday and Christmast day. On these days, most broadcasters instead offer to air "profile movies" from non-governmental organisations. This year the Norwegian Union of Vapers (NDS) applied and was offered a spot on Pentecost Sunday (24th of May) and worked hard to create a good informational movie to raise awareness of the organization and vaping in general. Everything seemed to be going the right way... but no. When the final product was submitted to TV2, the broadcaster in question and one of Norways biggest TV channels, the tone had changed. The movie suddenly "doesn't fit in". No reason other than that from what I've understood. Sounds more like they don't want to give us the real reason, which is probably they're afraid that they'll have to answer some questions afterwards since e-cigarettes with nicotine is illegal to sell in Norway, or that they figure that movies from well known organizations (preferably with some poor starving children in them) will be more popular with the viewers.

Anyway, here's the vaping ad that did not happen, cause TV2 aparently found it too controversial. I've translated it below since it's in Norwegian:

Translation:

Are you still smoking?

Hard to quit?

There is and alternative

E-cigarettes/Vaping
Is neither tobacco nor smoke

Switch now!

Norsk Dampselskap (Norwegian Union of vapers)
The consumers [vapers] own association, get information and help

... and then the logo and url in the end. Controversial stuff right?

 
Get 15% off with discount code: giraffe15 (log in to use)

Will Norwegian vapers lose their strongest supporters?

The Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, SIRUS, will become part of the Norwegian Institute for Public health (NIPH) from January 1st 2016. This is presented in the revised national budget 2015 published today. Even if it wasn't official until today, the news didn't come as a surprise to the researchers who work at SIRUS as they'd already been informed that this would probably happen. 

SIRUS researchers have spoken out, contrary to the current advice of FHI several times in recent years. They've been positive to both snus and e-cigarettes as means to quit smoking, and have been one of the strongest, most influential voices of reason in the vaping debate here in Norway. When the NIPH published their report on vaping not long ago, which resulted in a lot of scaremongering in the media, SIRUS was immediately out there criticising it's obvious errors and presenting the real truth to the public.
 
Yesterday several of the SIRUS researchers told the media that this is not something they look forward to, as they fear they will loose their ability to freely express their views and results to the public when they become a part of the NIPH. Head of research at SIRUS, Karl Erik Lund fears that politics will become more important than the truth:

- I fear that alcohol and drug research will be part of politicians' extended arm if we become part of NIPH. We as scientists can not have a loyalty to the policy, we must have loyalty to our data.

Researcher Ellen Amundsen also thinks this is a bad idea:

In Sirus we have complete freedom to express our opinions as scientists in the media, based on what we do. I fear that we will not be able to do that as part of NIPH. I used to work there...

At NIPH there has been an internal justice that they must speak with one voice approved by management not to lose credibility. Admittedly, the current director said that researchers at NIPH will gain greater freedom of speech, but it can be difficult to combine with NIPH tasks.

 ... and so do researcher Hilde Pape that fears moral elements will stand in the way of science:

NIPH should provide advice. In it there is also moral elements, and it is far from being research. These include the government's advice that pregnant women should not touch alcohol at all. This is more moral than research-based, as any adverse effect from real-life moderate consumption is actually documented.

We risk losing freedom, freedom of speech and credibility. As scientists we must be able to cast doubt on established "truths".

While the scientist at SIRUS are concerned, NIPH director Camilla Stoltenberg said in a debate earlier this year that they are wrong about how NIPH handles openness:

The description they give of NIPHs handling of openness and debate is serious, and I think they're wrong. There is no reason why alcohol and drug research will weaken if Sirus becomes part of NIPH. On the contrary. To make it absolutely clear: The Institute will strengthen alcohol and drug research and continue to contribute to open debate on substance abuse, no matter how Sirus organized in the future.

Lots of nice words there, but what will happen when this organization changes is actually implemented, time will tell. As I said SIRUS has been one of the strongest supporters of e-cigarettes here in Norway, and have been very active in the media, getting real, science based facts and truths out in the media. They've been out there whenever some scaremongering propaganda has been planted in the media, or when the media themselves (decides to) misinterpret some report to create some horror story.

I do agree with Karl Erik Lund and the rest of the SIRUS scientists in that this is just wrong and that SIRUS should remain in it's current independent form to be able to continue to spread pure scientific facts, uninfluenced by politics and moral. But sadly I don't think that this is going to happen. What we can hope for however, is that they will manage to influence the NIPH in a positive way. I also do believe they will try their best, cause I think they've shown us that they're not the kind of people that will be easily silenced. So do I think Norwegian vapers will lose their strongest supporters now? Honestly, I don't think we've seen the last of these guys in the media. I think we'll continue to see them speaking the truth to Norwegian media, but if they will do it on behalf of NIPH I don't know yet. If Camilla Stoltenberg is true to her words, there is hope.

Juice Review: Crème Brûlée by Jimmy the Juice Man

Jimmy the Juice Man's closed facebook group has over 10.000 members so I think it's fair to say that he has quite a lot of fans. I've been wanting to try out his juices for a good while now to see what all the fuzz was about, but when I first heard about it it was quite difficult to get hold of a bottle, so for some reason I never did. Lately, however, his juices have started turning up at several vendors, so I guess it's a bit easier nowadays, and the guys at ukecigstore.co.uk was kind enough to send me a bottle of Jimmy's famous Crème Brûlée for this review.

Crème Brûlée
Tested on: Aspire Nautilus (1.6 ohms, 15-20 watts)

I hadn't read the description of this juice properly when I noticed the package had arrived, so I have to admit that opening it and noticing the smell of banana kind of took me by surprise. Even though it said Crème Brûlée on the bottle I had to check the internet to see if Jimmy had a banana juice that I wasn't aware of... maybe they'd bottled the wrong juice. But of course I found the description and realized the Crème Brûlée actually has banana in it :) Anyway, having established that I did actually have a bottle of Crème Brûlée I filled up the tank to finally try it out and see if it lives up to it's reputation. The first flavour that hit me, was... banana again. Not really unexpected by now, cause the banana was quite pronounced in the smell of the juice. But the vanilla cream and burnt sugar I had expected is also there, and the balance between the flavours is great. Well actually I thought it was a bit too much banana in the beginning but after like half a tank it seems like my taste-buds have tuned in a bit more to the classic Crème Brûlée flavours as well and the juice feels more balanced. Now the question is if this juice should be called Banana Crème Brûlée instead, cause it really does taste what I would expect Crème Brûlée to taste like if you add some pieces of banana. But whatever it's called, it does taste great, and I'm staring to get why Jimmy has a Facebook group with 10k members. Guess I'll have to add Jimmy to the list of juice-makers I need to try out some more juices from.

Use discount code "vapingiraffe" for 5% off

Disclosure:

• All my reviews are my honest opinion even if I am affiliated with the company manufacturing or selling the product. 
• The juice was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.
• This review contains affiliate links.

Juice Review: Apple Express by Steamer Elixire

As some of you might remember, Steamer Elixire was the first Norwegian e-juice range to hit the international market, and a while ago I did a review of the first two flavours available at www.vikingvapes.co.uk (that seems to be the new name of cool-chili-vapors). As I mentioned back then, Roger, the madman behind these juices, also sent me some samples of some unreleased juices, and when I last talked to Roger he said that the Apple Express should be available from vikingvapes very shortly (within a few days I think). So, it kind of makes sense to do a review of that now, don't you think?

UPDATE: Didn't take more than a day... the Apple Express was released on vikingvapes this morning: http://goo.gl/dC6oi5

Apple Express

Tested on: Hellfire Mega (Around 0.9 ohm's on a mech-mod)

Now having tried the two first juices from Steamer Elixire, Foxy Lemon and Mountain smoke, first, my expectations for this juice was kind of high. I have tried a couple of apple juices before, but never really fallen in love them, with the exception of House of Liquids' El-Toro Eden which is a fantastic Apple/Tobacco blend. The smell of this one however, doesn't lower the expectations at all, cause it smells really great. And vaping it... it delivers 110%. The flavour is kind of a spicy apple (cider maybe) with some hints of cinnamon in there as well. It took me a bit by surprise, cause it doesn't taste like any of the apple e-juices I've tried before... it tastes way better. It's in my opinion perfectly balanced, making sure the apple flavour gets all the attention it deserves, with the hints of cinnamon and maybe other flavours just there to pronounce the apple. If you're into apple vapes, or if you're not, doesn't matter really, you should try out this juice. No, you must try this juice.

Use discount code "vapingiraffe" for 5% off

Disclosure:

• All my reviews are my honest opinion even if I am affiliated with the company manufacturing or selling the product. 
• The juice was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review.
• This review does not contain affiliate links.