Company Achieves First Time Revenues Upon Successful First Quarter Launch Of Its Wellstone Branded Tobacco Products DURHAM, N.C., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wellstone Filters, Inc. (the Company) (OTC:WLSF) (BULLETIN BOARD: WLSF) a developer, producer and distributor of branded tobacco products and innovative tobacco filter technology, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2006 quarter ended March 31, 2006. In its first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company realized gross margins of 17% on total revenues of $49,000. Since its inception in February 1998, the Company believes it has executed a business strategy providing for (i) the combination of a patented filter technology with premium blended tobaccos, (ii) recruitment of an effective, industry focused management team, (iii) a cost-effective, virtual product manufacturing strategy, (iv) establishment of a distribution network with experienced and motivated participants, and (v) a "go-to-market" product launch strategy which in a short time period appears to have attracted a following for the Company's branded tobacco products. This strategy has contributed to the Company's ability to report revenues for the first time in its operating history. Our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $583,000 compared to a net loss of $5,121,000 for the comparable prior year period, a decrease of $4,538,000 or 89%. On a per share basis, our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $0.00 per basic and diluted share as compared to a net loss of $0.02 per basic and diluted share for the comparable prior year period, a $0.02 per share improvement. Harry Poole, Vice President of Sales of Wellstone Filters, stated, "In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, our Wellstone branded tobacco products were available in a limited number of states in the U.S. and appeared to gain acceptance by consumers. In March of 2006, we launched our branded tobacco products at the National Association of Tobacco Outlets ("NATO") trade show in Las Vegas. NATO is commonly recognized as one of the important shows where the tobacco product buying season is kicked off. As a result, we now believe Wellstone Filters products, which have been approved for distribution in 41 states, could now move from its previous limited geographic reach to a national distribution level. Our market intelligence to date indicates our products appear to have gained traction in key markets such as Southern California and the Southeastern U.S. states. We intend to continue ramping our direct sales force and independent distributor network to meet the needs of existing markets and to penetrate new regional markets." L. Jeremiah Hand, President and CEO of Wellstone Filters, commented, "Our vision is to deliver the "ultimate smoking experience" by providing an ultra rich, smooth tasting premium cigarette sold at a value price. We believe our patented filter technology combined with premium tobacco blends will address the demand for "great taste" in a discount cigarette. Our strategy of employing a virtual manufacturing and distribution platform should enable the Company to supply the marketplace with a premium cigarette produced and distributed at low prices. We also believe the combination of premium cigarette qualities with a virtual manufacturing and distribution platform could enhance the Company's gross margins in comparison to its competitors. We are extremely pleased at the progress made to date and are confident in our management team's ability to continue the execution of our strategic plan to capture an increasing segment of a cigarette market which boasts an estimated domestic market size of $38 billion." Additional information on the financial condition and results of operations can be found in the Company's Current Report on Form 10QSB for the period ended March 31, 2006 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than May 15, 2006. About Wellstone Filters Wellstone Filters LLC was formed in 1998 and, as a result of a reverse merger transaction in 2001, subsequently changed its name to Wellstone Filters, Inc. The Company is engaged in the development, marketing and distribution of a proprietary cigarette filter technology and tobacco products distributed under the Wellstone Filters brand. Currently, Wellstone's family of branded cigarettes includes Wellstone Red, Wellstone Smooth Blue, and Wellstone Menthol, all of which come in King Size and 100's. Wellstone believes it may be the first ultra-premium cigarette available at a value price that combines a patented filter and premium tobacco blend providing a rich, smooth tasting cigarette. Wellstone does not represent that its patented filter makes for a safer cigarette and emphasizes that no cigarette is safe. This press release or any other corporate communication by Wellstone, its management, directors, employees, agents or representatives is not intended to induce any person or persons to purchase Wellstone tobacco products or any other tobacco products. Licensed direct buying accounts can place orders for Wellstone Filters branded products by calling 866-456-9827 or by email at . For further details on the Company and its products please visit the Company's website at http://www.wellstonefilters.com/. Wellstone Filters believes that this press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to facts that could cause results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. For further information you are encouraged to review Wellstone Filters' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the period ended December 31, 2005, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended March 31, 2006. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. DATASOURCE: Wellstone Filters, Inc. CONTACT: Wellstone Filters, Inc., +1-336-597-8300 Web site: http://www.wellstonefilters.com/

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