The Boutique Cigar Association (BCA), founded on August 8, 2016 by Dr. Gaby Kafie of Kafie 1901 Cigars in direct response to the FDA’s regulatory actions against premium cigars, today announces an important and historic transition that marks the conclusion of its work as an independent trade association.
For nearly a decade, the BCA has served as the voice for small-scale premium cigar manufacturers, those producing 500,000 cigars or fewer annually. Under the leadership of its appointed Board of Directors, most recently President Armen Caprielian, and Board Members Dr. Garo Bouldoukian, Greg Free, Pete Shultis, Alan Rouleau, and Rob Loud, the BCA has proudly represented boutique cigar makers across the United States and internationally. We would like to thank all past and present Board Members for helping us throughout the years.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Industry Defense
Throughout its tenure, the BCA has actively engaged with local, state, and federal authorities. Its work has reached the Congressional Cigar Caucus, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Small Business Administration, among others.
“There is virtually no office at the local, state, and federal level that the BCA has not reached,” said Dr. Kafie. “Every meeting, every phone call, and every testimony was dedicated to one mission: protecting small premium cigar manufacturers.”
A Changing Landscape and a Call for Unity
Following the Cigar Association of America’s (CAA) significant legal victory against the FDA, the BCA conducted an in-depth evaluation of the regulatory landscape facing premium cigars. It became evident that the industry continues to face a persistent internal challenge, fragmentation over nomenclature.
Despite being one of America’s oldest artisanal industries, premium cigars have never had a universally accepted definition. This lack of clarity weakens the industry’s ability to secure exemptions, fight government overreach, or establish an appropriate regulatory framework.
“With strong political and economic headwinds ahead, our industry can no longer afford to be fragmented,” said President Armen Caprielian. “Unity is no longer optional, it is essential.”A Pivotal Decision for the Greater Good. For nearly a decade, the BCA Board Members worked entirely as volunteers, without salaries or compensation of any kind. The Association was built on passion, not profit. Every cent that was raised was invested directly into protecting our industry.
During this time, the Board helped organize several successful Boutique Cigar Festivals and spearheaded the creation of the Boutique Cigar Pavilion, a major presence at national trade shows that gave small manufacturers a meaningful platform and a unified voice. These efforts were our way of giving back to the industry that we love.
However, as the regulatory headwinds facing premium cigars grow stronger, and as inflation, tariffs, operational pressures, and increasing competition intensify, our Board has made the difficult but necessary decision to step back and refocus on the two pillars that matter most in the near term: our families and our businesses.
The BCA thrived during its tenure, but the challenges ahead will require unity unlike anything our industry has seen before. To overcome what lies ahead, all premium cigar manufacturers must stand together, aligned behind one definition, one message, and one collective purpose.
After extensive deliberation and with the unanimous support of its Board of Directors, the BCA announces the following:
1. Adoption of the Cigar Association of America’s Unified Definition of “Premium Cigar.”
The BCA fully accepts and endorses the CAA’s premium cigar definition as the standard the entire industry must rally behind. The BCA affirms that any definition must:
• Allow for characterizing flavors, which are integral to consumer education and cigar reviews.
• Protect traditional, artisanal manufacturing methods, including hand-rolled production assisted by tools and devices such as the Lieberman machine.
2. Dissolution of the Boutique Cigar Association as a Separate Advocacy Organization.
To eliminate fragmentation, the BCA Board of Directors is officially dissolved.
The organization will no longer act independently on regulatory or legislative matters.
All future efforts will align fully behind:
• Cigar Association of America (CAA) – Manufacturers
• Premium Cigar Association (PCA) – Retailers
• Cigar Rights of America (CRA) – ConsumersThe BCA strongly encourages all manufacturers, small, medium, large, and multinational, to unite behind these established leadership bodies.
3. Continued BCA Programs and Community Support
While the BCA will cease formal advocacy operations, several signature initiatives will remain active:
• BCA Website:
Will continue to serve as a resource and community platform, which will include a blog from industry writers and media willing to share their opinions.
• Industry Press Releases & Brand Support:
The BCA will continue to assist boutique and premium brands with publicity and guidance free of charge. We can be reached at [email protected]
• Quarterly BCA Sampler Program:
Will continue and expand. The only industry sampler where 90% of proceeds will go directly to participating brand owners. This is our way of giving back.
• Protecting the Legacy Podcast:
Terminated effective immediately.
Looking Toward 2026 and Beyond
As the industry approaches the ten-year anniversary of both the FDA’s 2016 Deeming Regulations and the founding of the BCA, this moment represents a turning point.
“Every voice matters,” said Dr. Kafie. “But today, all voices must speak in unison.” The BCA extends sincere appreciation to the CAA, PCA, and CRA for their continued collaboration, inclusiveness, and leadership. “True leaders know when it’s time to take a step back, that time is now,” states Dr. Kafie.“We pray and hope that the premium cigar industry will carve a path that protects all cigar makers, small, medium, large, and multinational,” the Board stated. “At the end of the day, we are all one.”
A Personal Message from Dr. Gaby Kafie
“As we approach the ten-year anniversary of the Boutique Cigar Association, I reflect with immense gratitude on the countless hours dedicated to defending small premium cigar manufacturers. This work has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This is not an end. This is a new chapter, one built on unity, clarity, and shared purpose.The BCA was founded to protect small manufacturers. Today, the most effective way to continue that mission is to fully support a unified industry definition and stand behind the leadership of the Cigar Association of America. We look forward to working together, as one industry, with one voice, to protect the future of premium cigars.”
