Initial 60-Store California Entry Extends XXII's Reduced-Nicotine Rollout Into One of the Nation's Largest and Most Influential Tobacco Markets, With a Pathway to Broader Expansion 

MOCKSVILLE, N.C., May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:XXII), a tobacco products company focused on reducing the harms of smoking through nicotine reduction, today announced the expansion of Pinnacle VLN® into the state of California through an initial approximately 60-store retail trial, establishing the brand's first retail presence in the state and opening another strategically important market for the Company's FDA-authorized reduced-nicotine cigarette platform. 

The California trial marks the third step in a series of recent corporate updates regarding 22nd Century's VLN® combustible cigarette products rollout strategy and follows the Company's recent significant momentum under the broader Pinnacle platform. By bringing Pinnacle VLN® into California, 22nd Century is extending the reach of its reduced-nicotine product portfolio into one of the largest, most influential, and most policy-driven tobacco markets in the United States.

As an initial 60-store trial, the California launch is designed to establish Pinnacle VLN®'s first retail foothold in the state, build consumer awareness, evaluate early performance, and create a foundation for potential broader expansion over time that could lead to an additional 2,000 or more outlets. For 22nd Century, the launch represents more than a new-state entry — it is a strategic move into a market where tobacco policy, cessation infrastructure, and public health priorities may increasingly support the relevance of reduced-nicotine products.