Big Changes Coming to Vaping in the UK — and What It Means for Us and You

Part 1 : Hi Everyone… we need to talk. Strap in - Its a long one, I follow it up with some of my own thoughts at the end.

We don’t often send emails like this, but there’s something happening in the UK vaping world that could affect all of us — not just small e-liquid makers like Manabush, The Druids Brew, El Diablo and the like, but also you, our customers, and even those who enjoy mixing their own e-liquids at home.

The UK Government has announced a new vape tax and duty system starting 1 October 2026. This isn’t just a small tweak — it’s a huge change in how e-liquids can be made, sold, and even mixed for personal use.

What’s changing?

From October 2026:

• Every bottle of e-liquid sold in the UK will have to carry a government duty stamp (like on alcohol).
• Manufacturers (even tiny boutique brands like us) will have to pay a flat-rate tax of £2.20 per 10 ml of e-liquid we make.
• And here’s the big surprise… this also applies to e-liquids mixed at home for personal use.
  
  

Yes — technically, under the new rules, if you mix your own juice from concentrates and nicotine, it would need to be duty-paid, stamped, and tracked. How that could even be policed is a mystery to us — but it’s written into the legislation all the same.

How much will this add to prices?

The tax is per 10 ml, so it scales up fast:

This is on top of the existing retail price — and that’s before considering the extra admin and compliance costs businesses will face.

Why this matters for you

This isn’t just a “business problem.” It affects you in three big ways:

1. Prices will rise sharply — especially for larger bottles.
2. Some flavours may disappear — small brands may struggle to absorb the cost and complexity.
3. DIY mixing may be pushed out entirely — if you’ve ever mixed your own liquids, the rules technically say you’d need to pay duty just like a manufacturer.
   

And here’s the strange twist: while the government has publicly said it wants to see the end of disposable vapes, this tax actually makes small 2 ml pods (often used in disposables) far more cost-effective compared to larger bottles — which could push more people towards disposable-style formats.

What this means for us at Manabush

We’ve always been proud to make small-batch, flavour-focused liquids with love, care, and creativity. But the reality is that these new rules place the same burdens on us as they do on multi-million-pound tobacco companies — and that’s tough for a small family-run business.

We’re determined to keep going for as long as we can, but we can’t ignore that the landscape may change dramatically when this kicks in.

What you can do right now

• Support Small - every bottle you buy from an independent brand between now and 2026 helps us prepare for these changes.
• Stock up on favourites if you are a DIY mixer - and spread the word to your fellow vapers about what’s coming.
• Stay Informed - the more people know about this, the harder it will be for the unique, diverse vape scene to be quietly replaced by bland, mass-market options.

Final Thought...

We’ve built something special together as a community — a little corner of the vaping world where flavours have character, where you know the people behind the bottle, and where your support keeps us alive.

We’ll keep you posted as we get closer to the date, but for now, let’s keep the flavours flowing and the community strong.

With thanks and warmth,

The Manabush Team ❤️

Part 2 — A More Personal Note from Us

I wanted to add something a bit more personal here.

This new duty isn’t just a business headache — it’s heartbreaking for those of us who’ve poured years into building a unique, flavour-rich vaping scene. Seeing home mixing lumped into the same tax rules feels completely unrealistic, and we honestly don’t know how something like that could ever be enforced. But it’s in the rulebook.

We’re starting to look at what options might exist for the future. Could we move into flavourings for other areas ? change what we do all together? Maybe… but right now, we haven’t chosen any new route, and we don’t even know the legalities of doing so. Our hope — and our fight — is still to keep Manabush as it is: making the e-liquids you love. We would welcome suggestions!

Until then, every bit of support you show — whether it’s buying your favourite flavour, telling friends about us, or just staying engaged — makes a real difference.

We’re still here, still mixing, and still proud to be part of this amazing community.

— Martyn & The Manabush Team