Robert Levin Named New CRA Chairman

Robert Levin has been named the new chairman of Cigar Rights of America (CRA). The announcement comes only a few days after Jeff Borysiewicz, a co-founder of the organization, announced his resignation.

News of his appointment first emerged earlier today.

Levin previously served the organization as chairman and most recently as director emeritus, alongside Carlos Fuente Sr. He is most noted for being the owner of Ashton Distributors Inc. and the Philadelphia-based retailer Holt’s.

“It is imperative that the premium cigar industry work toward a complete exemption for this class of tobacco products” said Levin in a statement. “We will be working hard to convey our message in Washington, through the current public comment period, to get our message across that premium handmade cigars are unique, and not what Congress intended with the Tobacco Control Act.”

The organization also voted to adopt a definition set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding what a “premium cigar” is with one change, it believes that price should not be a factor in defining premium cigar, whereas the current FDA proposal would set a $10 price limit.

This means that flavor cigars, regardless of price, will not be included as a “premium cigar” under the definition approved. Sources told halfwheel this definition was voted on nearly unanimously amongst the group’s board.

Borysiewicz resignation was abrupt, given the premium cigar industry is currently in a 75-day comment period in which to respond to potential FDA regulation.

The regulatory body has presented two options: under Option 1, premium cigars would be subject to regulations much like any other tobacco product, under Option 2 “premium cigars” would be exempt.

Much of this discussion centers on what defines a premium cigar. The FDA has laid out a variety of requirements, the most contentious of with are price and flavoring. Previously, the CRA took no stance regarding the flavor requirement. 

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.