The "confusion" between pipe tobacco and RYO products is a real issue for many in the bureaucracy. Some manufacturers have taken advantage of this to the extent that, as far as I can see, their products have virtually disappeared from the RYO channel. Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat deprived of his tax revenue. I hope the degree of confidence expressed here that this Congress and President won't act to close this "loophole" is justified.
If you doubt the existence of this issue, just go to Pipes and Cigars website and pull up reviews of some of their best selling bulks. The majority of reviews for these products come from people using them to RYO. I am not picking on P & C. The manufacturers are doing this, with a very few exceptions.
I believe that a revenue hungry Congress is very likely to raise the taxes, particularly since they are related to health care. Just this morning, I read an article that referenced increasing GOP reluctance to repeal the taxes related to Obamacare. "Closing loopholes" is always, always and always popular with Congress. I spent over 30 years as a tax lawyer. Once something gets the loophole label, it gets closed. Just a question of how long it takes. And this loophole can be related to children's health care! (S-CHIP)
I am very sceptical about how predictably much better most modern chemically processed tobacco will improve with age. But I don't think things I enjoy now will get any worse over what I can reasonably anticipate will be my remaining life expectancy. I am therefore modestly cellaring a variety of things as my limited budget permits, mostly because of what I think is the inevitability of massive near future tax increases and/or internet sales restrictions. There is absolutely no reason to be optimistic about either of these possibilities.
End of rant. All IMO. YMMV.