22nd Century Stands Fully Prepared to Enable New Zealand Proposal to Advance Nationwide Smoke-Free Action Plan

New Zealand Ministry of Health Proposal Calls for Reducing Nicotine Content in Cigarettes to “Minimal Levels” to Help Smokers Quit, Prevent Addiction

BUFFALO, N.Y., April 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American: XXII), a leading plant-based, biotechnology company that is focused on tobacco harm reduction, very low nicotine content tobacco, and hemp/cannabis research, announced today that it is fully prepared to support New Zealand in its efforts to become a smoke-free nation by 2025. This follows the release of a new proposal by the New Zealand Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora that calls for reducing the amount of nicotine allowed in smoked tobacco products to “minimal levels.” When enacted, the proposal will help existing adult smokers to reduce their consumption or switch to alternative products and would protect young people from cigarette addiction.

“We applaud the New Zealand government for the proactive approach they are taking to help their citizens break their cigarette addiction. We were expecting this proposal and are fully prepared to help New Zealand to reach its goal,” said James A. Mish, chief executive officer of 22nd Century Group. “New Zealand has made great progress since announcing their goal of becoming smoke-free by 2025, but in order for the country to finally achieve success it is imperative that the amount of nicotine in cigarettes is reduced 95% to ‘minimal levels.’ We are pleased to see that the New Zealand government recognizes the technical feasibility of this approach.”

22nd Century initially engaged with public health researchers in New Zealand in 2016, when the country announced its goal of becoming smoke-free, leading the New Zealand Medical Journal to publish a letter recommending 22nd Century’s reduced nicotine content (RNC) cigarettes as an “important smoking reduction tool.” Given its position as the sole supplier of RNC cigarettes used in public health research, the authorization by FDA of its Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) for RNC cigarettes, and its readiness to commercialize RNC cigarettes at commercial scale, 22nd Century is well-positioned to supply RNC cigarettes to the New Zealand market in support of the implementation of its 2025 initiative.