{"id":963541,"date":"2026-05-15T10:24:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/22nd-century-group-nasdaq-xxii-ignites-major-vln-retail-expansion-in-metro-new-york-and-northern-new-jersey-under-pinnacle-brand\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T10:24:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:24:01","slug":"22nd-century-group-nasdaq-xxii-ignites-major-vln-retail-expansion-in-metro-new-york-and-northern-new-jersey-under-pinnacle-brand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/22nd-century-group-nasdaq-xxii-ignites-major-vln-retail-expansion-in-metro-new-york-and-northern-new-jersey-under-pinnacle-brand\/","title":{"rendered":"22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) Ignites Major VLN\u00ae Retail Expansion in Metro New York and Northern New Jersey Under Pinnacle Brand\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n VLN\u00ae<\/sup> Product\u00a0Launch\u00a0in\u00a0Over\u00a0150\u00a0New High-Visibility Store Locations Positions XXII to\u00a0Introduce VLN\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0to New Consumers and Potentially\u00a0Capture a Large Adult-Smoker Market,\u00a0Accelerate High-Margin Revenue<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n MOCKSVILLE, N.C., May 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — <\/strong>22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), a tobacco products company focused on reducing the harms of smoking through nicotine reduction, today announced that shipments are expected to commence of its Pinnacle VLN\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0cigarette brand for sale through one of the nation\u2019s\u00a0largest\u00a0purveyors of\u00a0cigarettes\u00a0in the\u00a0US, with distribution\u00a0expanding\u00a0to\u00a0almost 150 stores concentrated in the\u00a0metro\u00a0New York area and northern\u00a0New Jersey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This new rollout marks\u00a0the first of\u00a0a series of significant steps\u00a0forward in 22nd Century Group\u2019s broader commercial growth strategy and further expands the Company\u2019s Pinnacle VLN\u00ae<\/sup> retail presence in one of the most\u00a0densely populated, high-traffic, and strategically important convenience retail corridors in the United States. By increasing distribution across\u00a0metro\u00a0New York and northern New Jersey, the Company is broadening\u00a0consumer\u00a0access to its VLN-focused product platform while creating a meaningful opportunity to drive\u00a0consumer\u00a0acquisition,\u00a0incremental\u00a0high-margin revenue and\u00a0enhance\u00a0low nicotine combustible cigarette category awareness.<\/p>\n

The Pinnacle launch enters a market corridor\u00a0representing\u00a0an estimated\u00a0nearly 800,000\u00a0adult cigarette smokers, underscoring the scale of the commercial opportunity in the rollout region.\u00a0VLN\u00ae<\/sup> products are\u00a0tailored\u00a0to align with\u00a0health and wellness\u00a0initiatives\u00a0of\u00a0state and local governments, who\u00a0continue to invest in smoking prevention and cessation efforts, including programs such as NYS Quits, NYC Quits, and the New Jersey Quitline, highlighting the continued importance of innovation and differentiation in tobacco products.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Larry Firestone, Chief Executive Officer of 22nd Century Group, said, \u201cThis\u00a0expanded distribution of\u00a0our\u00a0Pinnacle\u00a0VLN\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0brand is an important milestone for 22nd Century Group and a strong validation of our commercial strategy. Launching in\u00a0metro\u00a0New York and northern New Jersey\u00a0gives\u00a0us exposure in a highly active retail corridor with exceptional market density, strong consumer traffic, and meaningful revenue potential.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Firestone continued, \u201cWe believe this rollout meaningfully strengthens the visibility of the\u00a022nd<\/sup>\u00a0Century Group\u2019s\u00a0position\u00a0in the marketplace. It\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0the scalability of our platform, the value of our\u00a0VLN\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0strategy, and our ability to execute in major metropolitan markets. Most importantly, it positions us to\u00a0expand consumer awareness,\u00a0accelerate revenue growth, expand margins, and continue advancing toward cash positive operations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n FDA Authorization and Scientific Foundation<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

22nd<\/sup>\u00a0Century\u00a0VLN\u00ae<\/sup> low nicotine combustible cigarettes were authorized in December 2021, making them the first and still the only combustible cigarettes authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically to help reduce nicotine consumption.<\/p>\n

\u202fDecades of independent clinical research and peer-reviewed studies\u2014evaluated as part of the FDA\u2019s Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) authorization process\u2014demonstrated\u202fthat reducing nicotine content can decrease nicotine intake, increase quit attempts, and reduce overall exposure to nicotine.<\/p>\n

FDA-authorized VLN\u00ae<\/sup> claims include:\u00a0<\/p>\n