22nd Century Group (XXII) Launching VLN at #1 U.S. C-Store Chain in Texas, California and Florida

Largest U.S. C-Store Chain Will Add VLN to More Than 1,450 Corporate Stores in Three Largest State Markets, Incentivizes Additional 3,100 Franchise Stores to Join the Launch

Full Support from Corporate and Franchise Owners Association to Commence VLN Sales in Franchise Locations

BUFFALO, N.Y., June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), a leading biotechnology company dedicated to improving health with reduced nicotine tobacco, hemp/cannabis and hops advanced plant technologies, today announced that its VLN reduced nicotine content cigarettes will be sold in the #1 convenience store (C-Store) chain in the U.S. at more than 1,450 corporate locations in Texas, California and Florida. An additional 3,100 franchise owned stores in these state markets are incentivized to add VLN products with full support from corporate and the national franchise owners organization. Franchise owned stores are already submitting product orders.

The launch will utilize 22nd Century Group’s new national and regional distribution agreements, including agreements with both the #1 and #2 C-store distributors in the United States. Stocking orders to distributors will commence in late-June, with corporate stores and the first wave of franchise stores expected to begin selling VLN products in early July.

“Adding the country’s #1 C-store chain and launching the three largest state markets will significantly and quickly expand the availability of VLN to thousands of additional stores,” stated John Miller, president of tobacco products for 22nd Century Group. “Franchise stores are already confirming orders to add VLN in conjunction with the corporate rollout, which will include media outreach, in-store offers, signage and a range of education and awareness tools across a variety of channels designed to drive adult smokers to VLN.”

Mr. Miller continued, “In addition to rapidly adding corporate and franchise owned stores in these new markets, we are also scheduling launches with other new regional c-store, pharmacy and military chains, plus regional and state business units of existing chains, that will further expand VLN’s availability in multiple markets. These launch plans give us increased visibility into additional stores and states through the rest of the year, keeping us on track to reach our stated growth goals.”