CHUC Announces $2 Million Financing to Fuel Expansion of "Nicotine-Free" E-Cigarette SBX

Aug.28.2025
CHUC Announces $2 Million Financing to Fuel Expansion of "Nicotine-Free" E-Cigarette SBX
Charlie's Holdings, Inc. (CHUC) secured a $2 million credit agreement with independent director Michael D. King to expand its nicotine-free SBX product. Early sales in the U.S. Southeast exceeded expectations, with the product being legal and popular nationwide. Funds will boost inventory and convenience store presence. CHUC has also sold 16 PACHA-related assets to Reynolds in three deals.

Key points:

 

·Market Performance: CHUC stated that sales of SBX products in several regions in the southeast exceeded company expectations. Non-nicotine SBX products are legal in most parts of the United States and are popular among adult users. 

·Credit Support: CHUC received $2 million in credit support from independent director Michael D. King, with the funds being disbursed in three installments over a 12-month period at a 13% interest rate. 

·Market Performance: CHUC stated that sales of SBX products in several regions in the southeast exceeded company expectations. Non-nicotine SBX products are legal in most parts of the United States and are popular among adult users. 

·User Preferences: CHUC reported that non-nicotine SBX disposable products are preferred over Juul tobacco e-cigarette products by a ratio of 15:1. 

·External Collaboration: CHUC has sold assets related to PACHA products to Reynolds, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, in three transactions totaling 16 assets.

 


 

According to a report from Access Newswire on August 26, Charlie's Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CHUC) announced that the company has entered into a highly favorable $2 million credit agreement with Michael D. King, an independent director on Charlie's board who currently holds over 2.5% of the company's shares.

 

CHUC stated that early sales of SBX in several southeastern regions have exceeded the company's expectations. SBX, which does not contain nicotine (Metatine, which is actually a form of nicotine known as 6-Methyl Nicotine), provides adult users of traditional e-cigarette products or combustible cigarettes with a unique new option that allows them to enjoy the taste of traditional nicotine products. The product is legal in most areas of the United States.

 

CHUC also stated that in a sponsored focus group study targeting adult e-cigarette product users, Charlie's nicotine-free SBX disposable product was preferred over Juul's tobacco-flavored e-cigarette product at a ratio of 15:1.

 

In order to facilitate an increase in SBX inventory purchases and drive the company's growth in the mass market convenient store channels, Michael has agreed to borrow up to $2 million from Charlie at an interest rate of 13% (to be disbursed in three installments). Each loan will have a term of 12 months, with interest and principal repayment due on the first anniversary of each loan disbursement.

 

Therefore, with the initial $1 million loan and subsequent two $500,000 loans, this debt/credit instrument gives the company the discretion to borrow as needed to meet the growing demands of the SBX product line. This credit instrument is non-convertible to equity, does not include warrants, and is extremely favorable to the company.

 

In addition, Michael has expressed willingness to consider providing additional loans in the coming months if the company's sales situation requires.

 

We are fortunate to have encountered the challenge of needing more funds to meet the demands of the SBX market... We are determined to grow cautiously," explained President Charlie Henry Sicignano.

 

Despite being in a position where most public companies may initiate dilutive equity financing, take on convertible debt, or borrow at high-interest rates from private lenders, Chief Operating Officer Ryan Stump and I are determined to secure the best financing terms for Charlie. In fact, we believe that Michael Jin's credit tools will be extremely beneficial to CHUC shareholders.

 

Michael commented, "CHUC has a striking strategic plan, a solid competitive advantage, and a management team with more favorable interests compared to any other publicly traded company I know of. I look forward to CHUC being listed on the national stock exchange... hopefully at a higher market value. Henry and Ryan will have my unwavering support.

 

Prior to this, CHUC had already announced the completion of a third asset transaction with Reynolds e-cigarette company, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco. The latter acquired an additional PACHA product and its related assets from CHUC for $1 million, including the PMTA application submitted for the first time in 2022. Statistics show that Reynolds e-cigarette company has now acquired a total of 16 related assets from CHUC.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Elfbar warns flavour bans could push over 50,000 Scottish vapers back to smoking
Elfbar warns flavour bans could push over 50,000 Scottish vapers back to smoking
Elfbar said restricting vape flavour choices—potentially under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill—could disrupt established quitting behaviours and increase relapse risk among former smokers. An Opinium survey commissioned by the company reported fruit and sweet flavours have risen in popularity among adult vapers quitting smoking in Scotland, with 62% now using them most often to quit, up from 34% in December 2024.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive: Glas says FDA-authorized G2 vape includes age-gating technology
Exclusive: Glas says FDA-authorized G2 vape includes age-gating technology
Glas has confirmed to 2Firsts that its G2 device, which received a FDA Marketing Granted Order (MGO), incorporates age-gating technology. Based on currently public information, this means the FDA has granted an MGO to the first ENDS product confirmed to incorporate age-gating technology, validating 2Firsts’ earlier inference.
Mar.17
Product | 30ml E-Liquid, 40,000 Puffs, and Three Power Settings: OXBAR Launches New DTL Product ROVOTA
Product | 30ml E-Liquid, 40,000 Puffs, and Three Power Settings: OXBAR Launches New DTL Product ROVOTA
E-cigarette brand OXBAR has launched its new DTL e-cigarette, the OXBAR ROVOTA, on its official website. The product contains 30ml of e-liquid and is officially rated for up to approximately 40,000 puffs. It has a nicotine strength of 6mg and offers around 15 flavor options. The device is equipped with a 1400mAh battery, supports Type-C charging, features a 0.4Ω dual mesh coil, and supports three power settings of 20W, 30W, and 40W.
Mar.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
As next-generation nicotine products become economically central rather than marginal, traditional volume-based metrics are increasingly unable to explain consumption, risk, and value. Units designed for a cigarette-based economy struggle to describe systems defined by delivery speed, pharmacokinetics, and adaptive user behavior. Drawing on financial reporting, regulation, and nicotine science, a fundamental question: can the future of nicotine still be measured using the tools of its past?
Feb.09 by Alan Zhao | 2Firsts Perspectives
Study Says Europe’s Illicit Disposable Vape Market to Reach EUR 6.6 Billion in 2026
Study Says Europe’s Illicit Disposable Vape Market to Reach EUR 6.6 Billion in 2026
A new study by the Fraunhofer Institute says the rapidly expanding illicit market for disposable e-cigarettes is undermining European regulation, fuelling youth vaping and causing significant tax losses. The study says the illicit market is worth EUR 6.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to rise to EUR 10.8 billion by 2030. It adds that a significant share of the disposable vape market now operates outside the regulatory framework established by the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
Mar.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Belarus plans to tighten licensing for e-cigarette and e-liquid trade; Lukashenko expresses support
Belarus plans to tighten licensing for e-cigarette and e-liquid trade; Lukashenko expresses support
A report says Belarus plans to tighten, at the legislative level, the licensing of trade in electronic cigarettes and related mixtures (e-liquids). The draft law was discussed at a meeting chaired by President Alexander Lukashenko with the leadership of the Council of Ministers, according to a BelTA correspondent.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai