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Author: Nils Große | Last updated on 06/24/2024 | Reading time approx. 05:37 min
As of 07/01/2022, the law regulating hookah tobacco quantities came into effect, prohibiting the production of hookah tobacco in packages larger than 25g. This regulation also ended the sale of 200g and 1kg cans after 06/30/2023, posing significant challenges for the hookah community. Now, finally, after a year of the sales ban, this law will be repealed as of 07/01/2024, following the signature of Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner. What this means for us is something we’d like to explore in more detail in this article, so let’s take a closer look together.
Find 200g Hookah Tobacco HereThe 25g law was introduced in the hope of combating the black market and illegal activities surrounding the tobacco trade. It turned out that large quantities of tobacco were often imported or sold illegally, resulting in significant tax revenue losses for the government.
Another important aspect was the individual packaging law, which stipulated that hookah bars were not allowed to take tobacco from large cans but could only serve customers pre-taxed portion sizes. However, many bars did not comply and continued to take tobacco from large containers, making controls more difficult. By limiting packaging to smaller sizes, the aim was to make illegal trade more challenging and improve control over the tobacco market.
Additionally, there was hope that restricting tobacco consumption would have a positive impact on public health.
The 25g law had far-reaching consequences, affecting consumers, manufacturers, and sellers alike. One of the most obvious drawbacks was the drastic increase in packaging waste. The introduction of 25g cans meant that significantly more packaging material was needed to sell the same amount of hookah tobacco, placing a considerable burden on the environment.
Another disadvantage was the high costs for manufacturers. The need to purchase new machinery to produce smaller packaging units led to additional costs, which were ultimately passed on to the price of the tobacco. This meant higher prices for us consumers.
Not to forget the creative and not entirely legal solutions developed to circumvent the 25g law. The manufacturer MixTo was the first to offer tobacco in a way that it could be sold as dry pipe tobacco rather than ready-to-smoke hookah tobacco.
This meant the tobacco was no longer classified as hookah tobacco and was not subject to quantity regulations or the increased hookah tobacco tax. This so-called "Dry Base" or "Hookah Pipe Tobacco" could be sold to consumers at a much lower price, although it had to be illegally mixed with glycerin by the end customer to create ready-to-smoke hookah tobacco. This method became so popular in the community that many other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon.
But the effects weren’t limited to tobacco manufacturers. Due to price increases and small quantities, many turned necessity into a virtue. The ambition to build a bowl with as little tobacco as possible gripped many in the community. This led to pressure on bowl manufacturers as well. Some very popular bowl producers like Hookain or Cosmo Bowl reconsidered the depots of their bowls for the German market and introduced smaller, more economical versions of their most popular models, as well as entirely new versions specifically designed to use as little tobacco as possible. Even the tobacco manufacturer Darkside launched its own economical bowl, the Darkside Shot.
Over the past year, however, many retailers and producers also faced a steep decline. Not a few online shops had to close their digital doors. Repeatedly, voices were heard blaming the 25g regulation, though to what extent this is true cannot be fully verified.
Many signs indicate that a very large portion of the tobacco smoked in hookah bars from mid-2023 came from the black market. As a result, many honest retailers struggled with significant financial losses.
The hookah hype of the COVID-19 pandemic gradually faded due to rising hookah tobacco prices and the more complicated handling, and many customers switched to environmentally harmful disposable e-cigarettes, whose rise seems unstoppable.
Although the 25g law brought many disadvantages, there was also one advantage that we shouldn’t forget.
The smaller packaging units allowed consumers to try various tobacco flavors in small quantities without having to commit to a large can right away. This was particularly beneficial for new customers or those who enjoy testing new flavors.
The option to buy tobacco in 25g packages will remain a good choice for those who enjoy experimenting with new flavors. But of course, demand determines supply. If no one buys 25g cans anymore, this size will eventually disappear, which would be a real shame for every adventurous customer. We therefore hope that 25g packages will continue to be popular so that everyone can discover their favorite flavors without having to throw away or give away large quantities of tobacco along the way.
Unfortunately, the 25g law did not work as hoped. Instead of combating the black market, it often even strengthened it, as the demand for larger quantities remained undiminished and could only be met illegally. Additionally, the law brought significant inconveniences for legal retailers and consumers, who now had to deal with higher costs and more packaging waste. After thorough review and numerous complaints from the industry, it was decided to repeal the law to stabilize the market, strengthen legal trade channels, and improve consumer-friendliness. Authorities are now focusing on other measures to control and tax the tobacco market.
The repeal of the 25g law is a welcome step for all hookah enthusiasts. Starting 07/01/2024, it will once again be permitted to sell hookah tobacco in 200g cans and even larger quantities. But what does this mean in practice? Will 200g cans be immediately available? Probably not. It will likely take about a month for the first shipments to arrive at retailers like us. It takes time to adjust production and manufacture and distribute the larger packages.
For many of us, the return of 200g cans means a return to normalcy. No more constant purchases of small units, no more scraping small foils from which you can never get everything out, no more excessive packaging waste, and finally, the ability to stock up on favorite flavors in sufficient quantities.
With the repeal of the 25g law, a new chapter opens for the hookah community. Manufacturers will once again produce larger quantities, which will hopefully lead to price stabilization. Consumers can look forward to finally being able to buy their preferred tobacco flavors in the usual quantities again. What will happen to the Dry Base tobacco varieties in the future and what will become of the 25g packages remains to be seen.
Here at Moze, we are excited about the coming months and look forward to soon being able to offer you the popular 200g cans again. In the meantime, we will continue to carry a wide range of 25g tobacco flavors so that you have the opportunity to try new flavors and find your favorites.
The past few years have been a challenging time for all hookah enthusiasts. The 25g law forced many of us to find new ways to enjoy our passion efficiently and cost-effectively. But with the repeal of the law on 07/01/2024, we are looking optimistically toward the future. The return of 200g cans will not only make enjoyment easier but also reduce costs and environmental impact from packaging waste.
We thank you for your patience and support during this time and look forward to soon being able to supply you with your favorite flavors in the usual quantities again. Stay tuned and check back regularly in our blog to stay up to date on the latest developments. Until next time, and happy smoking!
