Pipe tobacco

Making your own hookah tobacco - what you should know

More and more hookah enthusiasts want to mix their own tobacco and often come across so-called pipe tobacco. It sounds interesting - and it is. This raw tobacco is sold without humectants, meaning it is not ready to smoke.

To turn it into real hookah tobacco, glycerin is usually added. This creates dense smoke and proper moisture. However, this is where legal issues begin.

Mixing pipe tobacco - but staying legal

In Germany, once pipe tobacco is mixed with glycerin, it is legally considered hookah tobacco. Producing it requires special tax authorization. Without it, this process is considered a tax offense.

This also applies to small, private quantities. Tobacco tax is triggered as soon as the mixture is made.

Why pipe tobacco is still sold

Pipe tobacco can be sold legally in Germany as long as it remains dry and is not mixed with humectants. It falls under different tax regulations and is also used for traditional pipe smoking, not only for hookahs.

Our conclusion: be careful when mixing yourself

If you plan to make your own hookah tobacco, make sure to research the legal situation carefully. What starts as a hobby can become expensive if done incorrectly. To stay safe, ready-mixed hookah tobacco is the better choice and offers plenty of variety.