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119-hr-4404119th CongressWALLET

Hookah Clarification Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a federal excise tax regime that treats waterpipe tobacco differently from pipe tobacco. It would tax pipe tobacco at $2.8311 per pound and waterpipe tobacco at $0.5662 per pound, with fractional parts taxed proportionally. The act adds a new definition to section 5702 to define waterpipe tobacco as tobacco consumed or intended for use in a waterpipe, including hookah tobacco, shisha, maassel, narghile, and argileh. The rates apply to tobacco manufactured or imported after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Tobacco makers pay hookah and pipe taxes

If enacted, tobacco manufacturers and importers would pay per‑pound federal excise taxes. Pipe tobacco that is not waterpipe would be taxed at $2.8311 per pound, with fractional pounds taxed the same way. Waterpipe tobacco would be taxed at $0.5662 per pound. The bill would define waterpipe tobacco as tobacco for use in a waterpipe, including hookah, shisha, maassel, narghile, and argileh. These rules would apply to products made or imported after the bill is enacted.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 7/15/2025

  • Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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