Business
A Cigarette to Help Californians Smoke Less: 22nd Century Group, Inc. Launches Reduced Nicotine VLN® King Cigarettes in California, VLN Will Be Sold at #1 U.S. Convenience Store Chain and Other Responsible Retail Locations
With 95% less nicotine than a traditional cigarette, VLN® cigarettes help existing adult smokers reduce their nicotine consumption and dependence SACRAMENTO,
About this update from 22nd Century Group, Inc
[{"type":"text","content":"With 95% less nicotine than a traditional cigarette, VLN® cigarettes help existing adult smokers reduce their nicotine consumption and dependence\nSACRAMENTO, Calif., July 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biotech company 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: XXII) this week launched VLN® King cigarettes, the first-ever reduced nicotine combustible cigarette, in the California market. Starting July 17th, VLN® cigarettes contain a staggering 95% less nicotine than conventional cigarettes and will be conveniently available in California at more than 275 sites of the number one convenience store in the US, in addition to numerous other convenience stores across California. VLN® King cigarettes have made history by receiving U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP). “We see our VLN® product offering Californians who smoke a tremendous new option because VLN® cigarettes are specifically designed to help smokers smoke less, increase their number of smoke-free days, and reduce their nicotine exposure and dependence,” said John Miller, 22nd Century Group President, Tobacco Division. “Our goal with VLN® is to meet California consumers where they are with a combustible product that helps people smoke less.” In the FDA press release announcing the VLN® MRTP authorization, Mitch Zeller, J.D., former FDA Director for the Center for Tobacco Products, said, “Our mission is to find ways to stop tobacco-related disease and death. We know that three out of four adult smokers want to quit and the data on these products show that they can help addicted adult smokers transition away from highly addictive combusted cigarettes. Having options like these products authorized today, which contain less nicotine and are reasonably likely to reduce nicotine dependence, may help adult smokers. If adult smokers were less addicted to combusted cigarettes, they would likely smoke less and may be exposed to fewer harmful chemicals that cause tobacco-related disease and death.” According to recent data from the California Department of Public Health, approximately 6.2% of adult Californians are tobacco cigarettes users, which translates to an estimated 2.4 million adults still consuming high-nicotine cigarettes in the state. Remarkably, research indicates that nearly 70% of smokers want to quit smoking or smoke less – and 22...