The National Hookah Alliance has hired Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck to fend off application of federal cigarette restrictions under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act to the use of hookah.
On Dec. 12, NHA reps met with officials of the White House Office of Management and Budget and Food & Drug Administration to discuss yet-to-be-finalized FDA regulations on “other tobacco products.”
They stressed how costs and outright bans on hookah products could effectively eliminate the business of equipment manufacturers, suppliers and restaurants/lounges.
The NHA emphasized the cultural origins of hookah, which is a mainstay of Arab-American community.
They pointed out flavored hookah isn’t a lure aimed at younger smokers, but rather something that dates back hundreds of years.
Fantasia Distribution (Anaheim) is the driving force behind the NHA, which is seeking more members.
BHFS’ Marc Lampkin, former policy director at the Senate Republican Conference, is leading the NHA push.
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