Ploom Announces Distribution Partnership With Phillips & King for Specialty Tobacco Market

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ploom, (http://ploom.com), an innovative manufacturer of alternative smoking products, with patented vapor technology, today announced a partnership with Phillips & King, International Inc., the leading distributor of specialty tobacco.  With this partnership, Phillips & King will promote the Ploom product line to all of its accounts nationwide, introducing a new flavorful alternative to the smoking experience for the specialty tobacco industry.  The Ploom system consists of the portable handheld Ploom vaporizer and a selection of single-use pods containing natural tobacco or herbal blends.  These low-temperature heating devices turn proprietary tobacco and herbal blends into vapor without burning, by operating well below the temperature required to burn tobacco.  There is no combustion, hence no smoke.

"We are excited to begin distribution of Ploom's alternative smoking device, that uses clean vapor technology," said Sergio Montolfo, general manager at Phillips & King International.  "Ploom is doing something unusual and innovative for the smoker.  By eliminating smoke, using vaporization technology, consumers can now enjoy the smoking experience in a public setting without producing second-hand smoke.  By adding Ploom's unique device to our list of products, we are one of the first to be able to offer consumers this cool new luxury item.  Ploom is making smoking social again. "

Phillips & King has been servicing consumer's tobacco needs for more than 100 years with the finest brands of specialty cigarettes and the largest selection of premium, domestic cigars and accessories.  With over 30,000 accounts nationwide, Phillips & King ships to all 50 states including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

"This partnership means a great deal to us," said Adam Bowen, chief executive officer at Ploom.  "Working with the leading specialty tobacco distributor, we are able accelerate our expansion into new markets and enhance our visibility with the trade and consumers, making the process of getting Ploom very simple.  The tobacco industry has not had seen any big technological innovation since the 1940's.  Ploom is pioneering a new high tech smoking experience without creating the negative impact from actual smoke.  Through this new distribution channel we are able to reach sophisticated tobacco consumers and provide them with a new option to traditional smoking."

Recreating the smoking paradigm, Ploom marries modern technologies, materials and processes, eliminating smoke and using vapor technology making smoking much more socially acceptable.

About Phillips & King, International, Inc

Phillips & King is the leading specialty tobacco distributor and has been servicing consumer's tobacco needs for more than 100 years providing the finest brands of specialty cigarettes and the largest selection of premium, domestic cigars and accessories.  With over 30,000 accounts nationwide, Phillips & King ships and stamps to all 50 states including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

About Ploom, Inc.

Ploom is an innovative manufacturer of consumer products providing a unique alternative to the traditional smoking experience, using patented advances in vaporization through its handheld device that turns tobacco and non-tobacco blends into vapor instead of smoke.  The Ploom system consists of the portable Ploom vaporizer and a selection of single-use pods containing natural tobacco or herbal blends.  Because no combustion occurs during vaporization, the Ploom experience is free of smoke.  Ploom's current product line targets adult cigarette smokers in the $90B U.S. tobacco market who seek new smoking alternatives.  Founded in 2007, Ploom is privately held and located in San Francisco, California.  Visit www.ploom.com for more information.

SOURCE Ploom, Inc.