[1][2] He became involved with his family's tobacco growing business at the age of ten, having smoked his first cigar just shortly before then.

"[5] The tobacco leaves from Robaina's plantations are often considered among the best in the world[4] and have been used by high quality cigars brands such as Cohiba and Hoyo de Monterrey.

[7][8] His travelling subsided as he got older and he received visits at his home and plantation by thousands of cigar enthusiasts and tourists annually.

[4][1] Robaina was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and died in his home on his tobacco plantation near San Luis, Pinar del Río.

[6][2] He handed over the majority of the day-to-day operations of the plantation to his grandson Hiroshi several years before his death.