Juice Review: Waxahachie, Nanabozho and Coyote Coconut by Manabush

The Manabush "Original range" are all based on their original product, the Powwow Sauce, which is supposed to be a sweet tobacco blend. Manabush has mixed this with lots of different goodies, like banana, coconut and gingerbread to create a whole range of juices. Coincidentally, the 3 goodies mentioned above are all found in the 3 samples sent to me by vapour.co.uk for this review. 

Waxahachie
Tested on: Smok TFV4 mini (Clapton RTA @ 0.6 Ω, 40 watts)

Gingerbread and chocolate, according to the description. A combination I'm not used to at all. Smelling the juice, I'm not really sure what to think, maybe there is some chocolate there but I can't smell the gingerbread. Vaping it however, I do get the gingerbread as well as the chocolate. However I really don't get that much of a tobacco flavour from this one. Quite a nice, warm flavour, almost like it was made to enjoy during Christmas.


Nanabozho

Tested on: Smok TFV4 mini (Clapton RTA @ 0.6 Ω, 40 watts)

Smells like banana, tastes like banana. Again I don't really get that much tobacco, but rather a sweet biscuit base and loads of ripe banana on top. And the good thing is that this one doesn't get sickening after a while like some banana flavours tend to do (IMO at least). Actually I think I'd have no problems using this as an all day vape, even if it is quite a sweet juice. My favourite of the three.

Coyote coconut
Tested on: Smok TFV4 mini (Clapton RTA @ 0.6 Ω, 40 watts)

Again, no tobacco flavour, but both smells and tastes like very sweet coconut. I'd say it reminds me a lot of one of my favourite Christmas treats, coconut macaroons. I could it tons of these during Christmas when I was a kid. Actually I probably still can, but luckily for my health I don't live with my mother any more so I don't have free access. Another great juice from Manabush.

Now as you can see I didn't get much of a tobacco feeling from any of these three juices, but honestly, that doesn't matter that much. They're all great juices and I wouldn't mind trying out the rest of the range either, based on my experience with these.

Thanks to vapour.co.uk for sending me these juices for review.

• 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.

Norwegian Union of Vapers meeting with the Ministry of Health and Care Services

The Norwegian Union of Vapers (NDS) is doing a fantastic job here in Norway in an effort to educate politicians, our government and the general public. Many of you might be aware of the demonstrations held in four Norwegian cities on the 12th of December. As I've said earlier getting the media to cover vaping in a balanced way is extremely important to educate the public, but NDS have also managed to get a meeting with the Ministry of Health and Care Services, which was held just a couple of days before the demonstrations on December the 10th. The minutes from this meeting was emailed to all members and is also available on the NDS web-page in Norwegian here. I've translated the minutes below:

On the 26th of November 2015 NDS received an invitation from the Ministry of Health and Care Services. 

In the invitation the following emerged:

"The Ministry is aware that NDS has objections to the proposal on the regulation of e-cigarettes that are currently out for consultation. We would like to invite you to a meeting where you will be able to present your views and provide input. The Ministry is interested in increasing their understanding of how the proposed regulations will affect consumers in practice.

We emphasize that the meeting will take place at an administrative level, so the focus will be on the technical issues associated with the regulation of e-cigarettes, not political."

NDS always wants to improve everyone's understanding of vaping, so the invitation was of course accepted. The meeting was held on December the 10th 2015 and Helge Andersen and Kjell Marius Jenssen represented NDS in the meeting.

Minutes:
Meeting with the Ministry of HealthThe Ministry began the meeting by expressing great interest in vaping equipment, this set the agenda and therefore became the basis for the meeting's content.

We started by presenting the product's development from cigalikes, cartotanks up to modern tanks and larger boxes using a combination of oral testimony, drawings and equipment we had brought with us. We were very careful to explain that cigalikes (and similar equipment) has a closed form factor that only serve the producers, while the other more open solutions give further options, and that bigger and better equipment also had the characteristic that users reduced nicotine content automatically.

2 ml tank and 10 ml filling bottle limitations

The focus was then naturally turned to the 2ml tank limitation in TPD - and how it excludes 70-90% of the equipment on the market today. In addition to this, the provision makes no sense considering that smaller tanks means that users must bring additional e-liquid, and then refill while out and about (risk of leakage, loose bottles, etc).Then we turned to the 10ml restrictions on filling bottles, as this have a lot of the same problems. Not user-friendly, more devices to keep track of (keep away from children, pets, etc.), more garbage, environment etc.

We experienced great understanding of the above issues as seen from the users' side, while we got the clear message that the ministry believed it is obliged to follow TPD.

E-liquid

Then we talked about what e-liquid really is, what it contains etc. We stated that NDS is not against regulations, but that these must be based on the real damage potential and risks of vaping. The Ministry was briefed on our previously communicated position where we suggest that the equipment primarily should be traded freely and that e-liquid can be regulated as a foodstuff.

While we talked about this, we also got the final confirmation that Norway will not take any action when it comes to banning flavorings.

Online shopping

- E-Commerce. Registration Requirements for foreign retailers, with associated functional requirements to verify that the buyer is at least 18 years. If this is done it, buying from foreign online stores will be allowed. We argued that manufacturers of vaping equipment are small and that this can be prohibitive demands for them.- All rules for Norway in adaptation to EU / TPD will also be applicable to non-EU countries. This means that the rules can not be circumvented by ordering products from non-EU countries.

Censorship and other taxes/regulations

- There will be no censorship in relation to private reviews on vaping, this applies only to commercial initiatives and sponsorship. It will therefore not be necessary to close down NDS after May 2016 even if the rules are introduced. The Ministry was informed about how the Facebook page works and how much it means to many people's introduction into vaping, and that it often accidentally makes them stop smoking.- 2% nicotine content, over this = drug- We discussed taxes a bit, and what should be regulated / taxed etc. We got some deviant / hesitant answers here (which means they're in preparation when it comes to this). When we asked whether for example a battery purchased on a vape shop would subject to taxes, while the same battery bought in a battery shop would not - we got the response that these are the things that are beeing discussed - how far one should go and so on. The Ministry seemed to understand the point (battery / cotton / thread ) etc. "Intended use" was mentioned.At least we got to point out that large fees on a tobacco-free product, which is at least 95% less harmful than tobacco, would be met with strong opposition from our members, and that it would not help in the fight for a tobacco-free environment in Norway, but rather the contrary.

On our questions related to the kind of equipment that can meet the new requirements, such as leak free stuff, child safety, quality equipment, the Ministry answered that Norwegian authorities are awaiting a response from the ongoing standardization work in the EU.

Generally

We brought with us the poignant stories of cessation from NDS members. The Ministry politely said no thanks to these, as these where were already read and known to the Ministry. The Ministry was also familiar with other material previously sent them, such as our objections to the various provisions of Article 20 in the TPD.Finally, we discussed with them the NDS views on Norwegian health authorities' propaganda against vaping such as the horror picture on NIPH's (Norwegian Institute of Public Health) Facebook Page. We got the impression that the people we met were not familiar with this, and they expressed a generally balanced view of vaping.

Summary

The NDS representatives experienced the meeting as positive. It is positive that NDS is being considered as a serious player who can be consulted. The meeting led to a good basis for further cooperation and contact. The fact that the Ministry believes that TPD should and must be introduced in Norway was not surprising and must still be combated with all available means.

I agree with what NDS is saying in the summary here. It seems to me that the Ministry at least have some understanding, and in a way they almost seem to agree with NDS. However, the sad part is that they seem to believe that even if they strongly disagree with the TPD provisions, even if they think it would be bad for public health, they can't really do anything about it. It is now this we have to convince them that they actually can. We're not part of the EU, and we have the option to say no to the TPD, if our politicians have the balls to stand up to the greedy monster that the EU has become!

Review: Vpark Maxtank Pro

Vpark was a new name for me until this tank was sent to me for the purpose of this review. In addition to making sub-ohm tanks, Vpark also delivers some regulated box mods (30,50,100 and 150 W from what I can see) and even a tube mod which can deliver up to 50W. There is also a mini version of the Maxtank with 1.5 ml capacity (18mm diameter). The Maxtank Pro looks like just another Sub-ohm tank but it does have some interesting features I haven't seen elsewhere.

In the box

The Maxtank Pro comes in a pretty small cardboard box with some foam inserts. Nothing too fancy in other words. In the box you get:

• The Vpark Maxtank Pro with a 0.1 Ohm Ni200 head installed
• A 0.3 Ohm Kanthal head
• A simple black driptip for those of us that don't need the extra air-control on the one installed. 
• The user manual

Specifications

• Size: 22mm diameter, 64mm height
• Juice Capacity: 2.5 ml
• Top filling
• Threadless coil-heads
• 0.1 Ohm Ni200, 0.3 Ohm Kanthal and 0.5 Ohm Kanthal heads availible
• Adjustable airflow, also on driptip

Look and feel

The Maxtank Pro looks good in my opinion. I've got the black version with orange details (o-rings and those little rubber spots that is supposed to make it easier to unscrew the top-cap I guess). It feels pretty solid as well, and the threading on the top-cap is nice and smooth.

In use

The Maxtank Pro has a few features that makes it a very nice tank to use. First of all, the top filling is great. As I said, the threading is nice and smooth and once the top-cap is off you can poor juice in there from just about any kind of bottle you have without spilling too much. There is no small holes you need to get your juice through as you can see in the picture. The air-control is nice and smooth as well and gives you more than enough air when it's fully open. Then there is the threadless coil heads. Just turn your tank upside down and you can easily change the heads without draining your tank completely. Keep in mind though that you need to be down to about 1/3 of the tank to do this or you'll have juice flooding out your drip-tip. All of these features are very well executed, making the tank easy to use and a good option for your first sub-ohm tank. No tools required, and no small parts that you can loose while filling and the fact that I've had no leaking issues whatsoever also makes it a good option when you're out and about. On the other hand, the juice capacity is quite small so you probably need to bring your juice bottle, which is a drawback.

Performance

When it comes to performance, I'd say it is ok. It's on par with the vast majority of the sub-ohm tanks that I've tried, but it's not quite up there with the best in my opinion. I have to say I find the flavour a bit muted compared to for example the UD Zephyrus. I did, however, find the flavour on the Kanthal coil slightly better than the Ni200 head and it's not at all bad, just not up there with the very best. Also, it does not have all the coil options you get if you go for a TFV4 (or the mini version). This is also one of the reasons I'd say this is kind of an entry level sub-ohm tank. I have read somewhere that an RBA head is coming for the Maxtank Pro though, which might make it a lot more attractive to experienced users.

Pros and cons

+ Excellent top filling
+ Easy coil replacement
+ Good airflow control
+ No leaking
- Flavour
- Juice capacity
- Limited coil options

Conclusion

As I've already said, I think this is a good entry level tank. Gives you a lot of flavour and vapour compared to what you're used to if you've just taken the step into sub-ohm tanks. However, if you've been in this game for a while, there are other options that can give you more flavour, at the cost of a bit more hassle. Because this is the big plus of the Maxtank... it's hassle free, easy to fill, easy to clean and easy to change coils.

Big thanks to Heaven Gifts for sending me this tank for review.


Disclosure:

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

Norwegian vapers protesting against the TPD

Vapers gathered outside the courthouse in
Trondheim

Today was the day Norwegian vapers hit the streets to show that we're not at all happy with our governments attempt to implement the TPD. I was attending the demonstration in Trondheim, where somewhere between 40 and 50 people gathered to protest against the governments disguised TPD implementation. Now I know this might not sound to impressive, but you have to take into account that Norway is not a very big country, and only a bit less than 180.000 people live in Trondheim. Besides... those 40 to 50 people made sure we were noticed when walking down the busiest shopping street in town.

Loads of banners and posters

A lot of work had been done before the demonstration, making posters, flyers and contacting the media to try to get some attention. The media, however did not seem too interested here in Trondheim, and only one local newspaper from a bit further north in Norway said they would come (and they did). So we were pretty happy when another guy with a camera came along while we were standing outside the courthouse, asking for someone in charge. He was from rus.no, who writes about substance abuse and addiction, and he had noticed our little ad in Adressa, the biggest local newspaper in Trondheim.

Outside the courthouse a speech from NDS (Norwegian Union of Vapers) was given, flyers were handed out to people passing by, some of us talked to people that stopped, wondering what this was all about and there was even a raffle where all the profits were given directly to the pulmonary department of St. Olavs hospital here in Trondheim. Hopefully this might get the attention of some doctors as well.

After protesting outside the courthouse, we walked through town, down the busiest shopping street. Some were handing out flyers to smokers and others who looked interested... and some made some noise. Eventually we ended up at Dampoteket, Trondheims only vape shop which opened just a couple of weeks ago. 

Vapers - Make some NOISE!

Although we had hoped for a bit more attention from the media here in Trondheim, I'd say we made ourselves noticed. In Oslo on the other hand, we've gotten reports that the media showed a bit more interest. The protests were even covered by national television (TV2), so I'd say it was a great success. I'm not sure how many turned up in Oslo, but what I've heard so far is that it was more than expected. Getting the attention of the media is crucial in this matter so having TV2 covering the protest is great. The focus from TV2 was that vaping will be treated in the same way as smoking in the governments proposal, which might not be the whole truth but still a good place to start and something that most people will understand. I guess the general public won't understand much if we start talking about mg/ml and all the technical stuff. This might actually be part of the problem as well; the politicians making these decisions have no idea what they're deciding on, so keeping it a bit simpler might not be such a bad idea. One thing people will understand is the health benefits presented on TV2 by Yvonne Johnsen and although the proposal made by the government suggests that 2nd hand vaping is equivalent to 2nd hand smoking, Yvonne and others were at least given the opportunity to say that we do not at all agree with this. Even if they were not able to explain properly why we don't agree, hopefully more media will pick up on and follow up on this, and hopefully our politicians will actually start doing their jobs and listen to people who know stuff rather that people who own stuff. Yeah I know it's a lot to hope for, but if the media takes the bait, at some point they will be forced to listen. 

I haven't heard that much from the protests in Bergen and Kristiansand yet, but I do believe quite a few people turned up there as well. Having these demonstrations in more places than just Oslo will show our politicians that there are vapers all around Norway, and none of us are happy with what they're trying to do.

I really do hope we'll see some good balanced articles and news reports on this next week and I'll make sure to keep you up to date. I'd also like to thank all the vapers showing up today fighting, not only for their right to vape, but for the lives of all the smokers that still have not made the switch. And a huge special thanks to all the dedicated people who have made this possible, you know who you are. 

TV2 covered the protests in Oslo

Worth reading this weekend (December 11th)

Weekend again! Yay! I know I complained about too much to do before Christmas last weekend. This week I haven't done any of the the preparations I should have done so my goal is to at least get started this weekend. Like that's going to happen :) Here's this weekends recommended reading, for those of you that have done all the shopping and have time to sit down and just relax:

• Yesterday Aaron Biebert spoke at the White House OMB and the offices of several lawmakers in Washington D.C. His speech was published on Facebook and well worth a read: Speech to White House OMB.

• Another study finding Diacetyl in e-liquids got a lot of attention in the media. Both Dr. Farsalinos' and Michael Siegels response to this is worth reading, as is this excellent article: New e-cig study reveals crisis in journalism

• Finally, someone linked this on Facebook. I guess it's a couple for years old, but still very very relevant: The myth of nicotine addiction

 Have a nice weekend!