Healthier Choices Management Corp Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company over Vuse Product Involving HCMC Patent Not Previously Litigated

HOLLYWOOD, FL, Sept. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthier Choices Management Corp. (OTC Pink: HCMC) announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company (”RJR”) in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in connection with HCMC’s assertions that RJR’s Vuse electronic cigarette infringes one of HCMC’s patents.

Vuse is owned and distributed by RJR, whose ultimate parent company is British American Tobacco (BAT), one of the largest tobacco companies in the world.

Jeff Holman, CEO of HCMC had this to say, “We are pleased to be continuing our efforts to police our patent rights through the court system against potential infringers.”

Mr. Holman continued, “This case against R.J. Reynolds involves a patent that we have not previously enforced in the courts.”

Mr. Holman concluded, “In contrast to the previously filed lawsuit against Philip Morris for their IQOS device, which was relatively new to the U.S. market at the time of filing of the lawsuit, and is still pending, the Vuse device reportedly has the largest share of electronic cigarette sales in the United States, overtaking Juul in the first quarter of this year, according to Nielsen reports on convenience store sales on tobacco products.”

About Healthier Choices Management Corp.

Healthier Choices Management Corp. (www.hcmc1.com) is a holding company focused on providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition and other lifestyle alternatives. 

Through its wholly owned subsidiary HCMC Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, HCMC manages and intends to expand its intellectual property portfolio. Additionally, HCMC markets its patented Q-Unit and Q-Cup technology. Information on these products and the technology is available on the Company’s website at www.theQcup.com.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Healthy Choice Wellness Corp., HCMC operates:

• Ada’s Natural Market, a natural and organic grocery store offering fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins, and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products, and natural household items (www.Adasmarket.com)
• Paradise Health & Nutrition’s three stores that likewise offer fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products, and natural household items, (www.ParadiseHealthDirect.com)
• Mother Earth’s Storehouse, a two-store organic and health food and vitamin chain in New York’s Hudson Valley, has been in existence for over 40 years. (www.MotherEarthStorehouse.com)
• Greens Natural Foods’ eight stores in New York and New Jersey, offering a selection of 100% organic produce and all-natural, non-GMO groceries & bulk foods; a wide selection of local products; an organic juice and smoothie bar; a fresh foods department, which offers fresh and healthy “grab & go” foods; a full selection of vitamins & supplements; as well as health and beauty products (www.greensnaturalfoods.com)

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, HCWC operates through a licensing agreement for Healthy Choice Wellness Centers located at the Casbah Spa and Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL,