22nd Century Launches VLN® with Major C-Store Chain, New Marketing Collateral, Continues to Expand State Authorizations

Rhea-AI Summary

22nd Century Group (NASDAQ: XXII) announced on Oct 23, 2025 that its VLN® reduced-nicotine cigarettes will begin sales at approximately 140 Circle K locations in Illinois. VLN® products are now authorized for sale in 45 states, with five states pending, and the company unveiled new marketing and consumer-education materials covering its VLN® combustible cigarette lineup.

The company highlights that its proprietary VLN® tobacco contains 95% less nicotine and that VLN® is the first and only combusted cigarette product authorized by the FDA under the agency's low-nicotine framework.

Positive

• Launch at ~140 Circle K locations in Illinois
• Authorized in 45 states for 22nd Century VLN®
• FDA-authorized as the first/only low-nicotine combusted cigarette

Negative

• Five states pending remaining authorizations
• Market rollout limited to ~140 stores in Illinois initially

VLN^® to Commence Sales at Circle K Locations in Illinois, Now Authorized in 45 States and Counting

MOCKSVILLE, N.C., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), the only tobacco products company that has for 27 years led and continues to lead the fight against the harms of smoking driven by nicotine addiction, today announced the launch of VLN^® reduced nicotine content cigarettes at approximately 140 Circle K locations in Illinois. VLN^® cigarettes are now authorized for sale in 45 states, with 5 remaining states pending. As part of the launch, the Company also unveiled new marketing and consumer education material featuring the full suite of VLN^® combustible cigarette products.

“We are excited to welcome Circle K Illinois back to our universe as we expand our VLN^® presence to answer the question, “where can I get VLN?”. We are driving state authorizations in all 50 states and seeking distribution across the board. Illinois was the first market we entered in 2022 and we know there are VLN smokers who will appreciate the new branding and the rollout of this product in their local market. We look forward to continuing to expand the availability of VLN^® products with new stores, new chains and new geographies as we sign on additional distribution and partner resources,” said Larry Firestone, Chief Executive Officer of 22nd Century Group.

State authorizations for 22nd Century VLN^®, Partner VLN^® and contract manufactured products now include:

• 22^nd Century VLN^® – 45 States
• Smoker Friendly VLN^® – 38 States
• Pinnacle^® VLN^® – 38 States
  

“Once we achieve authorization and distribution in all 50 states, we will be able to demonstrate the large scale feasibility of our VLN^® and partner VLN^® low nicotine products and our alignment with the FDA and their recent low nicotine mandate that was published in January 2025,” continued Larry Firestone.

Both VLN^® and Partner VLN^® reduced nicotine content cigarettes contain 22nd Century’s proprietary VLN^® tobacco grown with 95% less nicotine, a level shown in clinical studies to reduce the rate of smoking. These VLN^® based products are the first and only combusted tobacco products to comply with the FDA’s proposed new Tobacco Product Standard for Nicotine Yield of Cigarettes and Certain Other Combusted Tobacco Products.

About 22^nd Century Group, Inc.

22nd Century Group is pioneering the tobacco harm reduction movement by enabling smokers to take control of their nicotine consumption.

Our Technology is Tobacco

Our proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco plants were developed using our patented technologies that regulate alkaloid biosynthesis activities resulting in a tobacco plant that contains 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco plants. Our extensive patent portfolio has been developed to ensure that our high-quality tobacco can be grown commercially at scale. We continue to develop our intellectual property to ensure our ongoing leadership in the tobacco harm reduction movement.

Our Products

We created our flagship product, the VLN^® cigarette using our low nicotine tobacco, to give traditional cigarette smokers an authentic and familiar alternative in the form of a combustible cigarette that helps them take control of their nicotine consumption. VLN^® cigarettes have 95% less nicotine compared to traditional cigarettes and have been proven to allow consumers to greatly reduce their nicotine consumption.

FDA Authorized

Our VLN^® cigarette is the only low nicotine combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA in the United States.

VLN^® is a registered trademark of 22nd Century Limited LLC.

Learn more at xxiicentury.com, on X (formerly Twitter), on LinkedIn, and on YouTube.

Learn more about VLN^® at tryvln.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our full year business outlook. Forward-looking statements typically contain terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “consider,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “foresee,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “preliminary,” “probable,” “project,” “promising,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding (i) our cost reduction initiatives, (ii) our expectations regarding regulatory enforcement, including our ability to receive an exemption from new regulations, and (iii) our financial and operating performance. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 2025 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 13, 2025 and August 14, 2025. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Investor Relations & Media Contact
Matt Kreps
Investor Relations
22nd Century Group
investorrelations@xxiicentury.com
214-597-8200

FAQ

When will VLN® cigarettes be available at Circle K Illinois and how many stores?

VLN® launches on Oct 23, 2025 at approximately 140 Circle K locations in Illinois.

In how many states is 22nd Century's VLN® authorized for sale (XXII)?

VLN® is authorized for sale in 45 states, with 5 states pending authorization.

What nicotine level does VLN® tobacco contain compared with traditional cigarettes?

VLN® tobacco contains about 95% less nicotine versus traditional tobacco plants.

Is VLN® authorized by the FDA and what does that mean for XXII?

The company states VLN® is the first and only combusted low-nicotine cigarette authorized by the FDA under its low-nicotine framework.

Will 22nd Century expand VLN® distribution beyond Illinois after the Circle K launch?

The company says it is pursuing additional distribution, new chains, and authorization in all 50 states.