The Vaper Expo UK: The End of an Era?

The Vaper Expo UK: The End of an Era?

The Vaper Expo May 2026 has come to a close, but is it actually the end for the event entirely? We exhibited at the show alongside our friends at Infinite Modz from May 8th to May 10th, and it truly felt like the last ever show. Let me explain why.

A Noticeably Quieter Ohm Zone and Main Floor

The first thing everyone noticed was the size. It was small—painfully small. That was the main talking point we heard all weekend. Visitors were telling us how little time it took them to explore the main floor, and I didn’t hear a single person say it took them more than ten minutes. The Ohm Zone, which is usually a bustling area packed with people, was quiet and had a noticeable absence of the regular vendors who usually attend every event.

Now, in all fairness, the May show is historically the quieter one, with October being the main event. But with October 2025 having been cancelled, everyone expected some carryover crowd and energy this time around. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Instead, there was a massive elephant in the room all weekend.

The Cloud on the Horizon: October 2026 Vape Regulations and Taxes

The hot topic of nearly every conversation we had, from the smaller independent brands in the Ohm Zone up to some of the biggest players on the main floor, was the new regulations and taxes due to hit the UK in October 2026. We are all worried, but that’s a deep dive for another day.

It will certainly have a massive impact on the future of the Vaper Expo. With dwindling exhibitors already and a huge decrease in visitors, I just cannot see a clear way forward for the event. We weren’t the only ones who felt this way, either. Most people seemed to feel that this was the final curtain for Expo. There were a lot of heartfelt goodbyes at the end of the weekend, with people telling old friends we’d have to catch up down the line if we ever find ourselves in the same part of the country. None of us were making plans for an October show, and interestingly, no one from the event staff came around to talk to us about rebooking for October.

Saying Goodbye to the Community

So, is it the end of an era? Sadly, I believe so, and the weekend certainly felt that way. We are going to deeply miss seeing so many people who, over our years of exhibiting, have become close friends.

Huge shout-outs to Stu and Liz at Vapesmarter (though we'll see you both again soon, no doubt), Joff and Lucy, Oscar and Regina, Jane at Shytots, our tireless Expo assistant Craig (who I owe more than a few drinks to), Rajan, Benny, Sean… honestly, it’s an endless list. I truly hope we all end up in the same place at the same time one day. Unfortunately, it just won’t be at an Expo.

What’s Next for the UK Vape Industry?

I know this all sounds incredibly depressing and full of doom and gloom. As I mentioned, the incoming taxes and regulatory shifts are going to change the landscape completely. Closer to the time, I’ll be writing another blog post breaking all of that down, but I don’t quite have the energy or the will to dissect it today. Safe to say, huge changes are afoot.

Thanks to everyone who made the journey what it was.

This is LegioX at Vaper Expo, signing off.