On August 26, according to foreign reports, 22nd Century Group's VLN King and VLN Menthol King cigarettes with reduced nicotine content were rated as the best new products in the cigarette category by "Convenience Store News".

The Best New Product Award, now in its 26th year, honors the most innovative, high-quality products that introduce convenience channels to meet consumers' changing needs and align with the convenience store value proposition. This is the first convenience store news award in the cigarette category.

In a statement, John J. Miller, president of 22nd Century Tobacco, said: "We are honored and excited to be awarded the Best New Product Award in the Cigarette category by Convenience Store News.

"The VLN is truly a game-changer and this award confirms the market's interest in VLNs and their interest in new tools to help adult smokers reduce smoking. Our VLN pilot in Chicago has exceeded expectations and we are now expanding ours in Colorado VLN launch as we work to expand the availability of this important new product.”

The Best New Product award is judged by a panel of consumers based on attributes such as value, convenience, appearance and packaging, and taste and ingredients. The judging is overseen and counted by Past Times Marketing, a New York-based consumer research and product testing company.