Iowa law going into effect will heavily tax glass, metal smoking devices: Local glass makers respond

On Jan. 1, 2025, a new law going into effect in Iowa will impose a 40% tax on glass and metal smoking devices.

MUSCATINE, Iowa — In just a few days, an Iowa law taxing glass and metal smoking pipes will go into effect.

It adds a 40% tax to glass and metal smoking devices and requires retailers to buy a $1,500 permit every year. They also need a tobacco license and have to conceal devices from anyone under 21. Money from the tax and licenses goes to specialty courts and diversion programs. Those are intended to help those struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues.

RELATED: New Iowa laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

One business facing those changes is Oxy Glass Art in Muscatine. Run by husband and wife team Timmie and Torie DePauw out of their home studio, they've branched out into creating all kinds of pieces in the last year. That includes memorial pieces, jewelry and ornaments.

"The pipes are still like 75% of our business," Torie said.

They sell at craft fairs on both sides of the river and to local smoke shops. But in the New Year, that Iowa law will make their business more expensive to run.

"For any small business it's just another big bill on top of already being kind of hit from being taxed for everything," Timmie said.

The DePauws said larger shops sell imported products at a fraction of the cost, meaning those customers pay a smaller tax.

"People are not gonna pay that when it's convenient just to go to Illinois," Torie said.

She said eating the cost of the tax would make it too expensive to do business.

In preparation for the new law, they said they'll apply for the right permits and sell where they can.

"The bill as I understand it does not attack wholesaling, so as we go into the New Year, we plan on continuing to sell art as normal, applying for the license, and wholesaling our glass to the shops as normal for now," Torie said.

She asks those who disagree with the law to write to their state senator.

"All that we really have control over is spreading the word and writing to the people that are in charge," Torie said.

State Sen, Dan Dawson from Council Bluffs sponsored the bill. In a 2021 Des Moines Register article, he's quoted saying glass pipes are primarily used for drugs like methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. The DePauws said people don't typically buy handmade glass pipes for hard drugs.