The Ruyan Vegas has approximately 1,800 mouthfuls of vapor, nearly the [image-nocss] equivalent vapor to the mouthfuls of smoke produced in a carton of conventional cigarettes, and is meant to be disposed of after it ceases to produce vapor. Smokers who use it to replace all of their smoking activity report it lasts as long as a carton of cigarettes, while smokers who only use it in places where they cannot or would not smoke report it lasts anywhere from three to six weeks.
Pilot stores expect to offer the product at an introductory price of $29.99, Ruyan said.
"We have seen the research from Ruyan America and believe that this is going to be an exciting alternative to smoking that does not emit secondhand smoke," said Dan Fleming, vice president of operations for Knoxville-based Pilot.
William Bartkowski, president of Ruyan America, said, "We appreciate Pilot's commitment to this product category and to Ruyan products. We expect great customer acceptance as they come to appreciate the convenience and value of these products."
Bartkowski said Ruyan's new disposable E-cigarette, the Ruyan Jazz, will debut this month in certain locations and is also expected to be available in Pilot stores within 60 days. The Ruyan Jazz will be the equivalent of four to five packs of traditional cigarettes and is expected to retail under $25 each.
Pilot currently operates 45 Pilot Food Mart convenience stores throughout East Tennessee and owns Pilot Travel Centers, the largest operator of travel centers in the United States.
Minneapolis-based Ruyan America is a U.S.-based joint venture partner of Ruyan Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong.
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