The Food and Drug Administration Centre for Tobacco products is collecting data on waterpipes and waterpipe tobaccos to assist the agency in regulating the products, the FDA said.

A two-day workshop to include a public comment session is planned for 17-18 March at FDA headquarters outside Washington DC. The agency will take written submissions until 29 April. Information on electronic submissions is available at: www.regulations.gov.
In April, 2014 the FDA said it planned to extend its authority over tobacco products to include regulating products also known as shisha, hookah and narghile. Restrictions expected under the deeming rule, which also would regulate vaping products, pipe tobaccos and cigars, include submitting ingredient listings to FDA and obtaining agency approval to market new products. Health warnings and restrictions on point of sale similar to those for cigarettes also are expected.