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, announced today in an email that the group would be dissolving.
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 represented boutique cigar makers across the United States and internationally.
“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.”
While the BCA will cease formal advocacy operations, several signature initiatives will remain active such as the BCA Website. Kafie said the 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. Despite dissolving the board and its independent advocacy efforts, the BCA will continue to assist boutique and premium brands with publicity and guidance free of charge. The recently announced BCA Sampler Pack will also continue and expand. Kafie says it is the only industry sampler where 90% of proceeds will go directly to participating brand owners.
The BCA also ran a podcast called Protecting the Legacy Podcast, which Dr. Kafie says will be terminated effective immediately.
