22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE MKT: XXII) today announced that
its factory in North Carolina, which is now a participating
manufacturer under the U.S. tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
(“MSA”), has begun shipping RED SUN super-premium cigarettes.
Designed to appeal to discriminating consumers and positioned to
compete with leading brands like Marlboro,® Camel,® and Natural
American Spirit,® RED SUN is initially being offered to independent
distributors and specialty retailers located in select markets such
as New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Boulder and
Portland.
RK Company, Inc, d.b.a. Cigar Cartel, a licensed stamping agent
in California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Nevada,
and Wyoming and once the largest independent distributor of Natural
American Spirit cigarettes in Southern California, was among the
first to order RED SUN. Trey Prevost, the President and owner of RK
Co, Inc., stated, “RED SUN is exactly what my customers want: A
great tasting, highly differentiated product that is exclusive to
specialty stores… a much better cigarette than the mass market
brands… made by a company that truly values its retailer and
distributor partners. The 22nd Century Group Trade Partners Program
makes it a no-brainer for retailers to carry and promote RED
SUN.”
Last week the Company established its Trade Partners Program as
a strategic incentive plan to give eligible cigarette distributors
and retailers the opportunity to earn publicly tradable shares of
the Company's common stock in consideration for purchases of the
Company's RED SUN brand of cigarettes. Participating distributors
will earn $1.00 worth of 22nd Century common stock as a rebate for
each carton of RED SUN purchased in 2015 and participating
retailers will earn $3.00 worth of 22nd Century common stock as a
rebate for each carton of RED SUN purchased in 2015.
Mr. Prevost went on to explain, “I am a strong believer in 22nd
Century Group and in the Company’s mission to manufacture and
market tobacco products with the potential to reduce the harm
caused by smoking; it is no secret that I have already purchased
tens of thousands of dollars of the Company’s stock on the open
market.”
As part of 22nd Century’s marketing initiative to promote RED
SUN in its target markets, the RED SUN website at
www.redsuncigarettes.com has been revised and expanded to include
explanations about product attributes that make RED SUN and 22nd
Century Group unique, as well as irreverent humor designed to have
some fun at the expense of the “Big Tobacco” companies.
Henry Sicignano, III, the President and Chief Operating Officer
of 22nd Century, explained, “In the spirit of all the Davids who
have ever stood up to the Goliaths of the world, I like to think
that our unsurpassed quality distinguishes RED SUN cigarettes in
much the same way that distinctive, flavorful beers separate Sam
Adams® from mass market brands.”
Designed to be both informative and amusing, the RED SUN website
aims to spark dialogue and interaction with consumers. To inspire
increased discussions about the RED SUN brand, the newly enhanced
website also announces a “no purchase necessary” consumer contest
that promises the winner an all-expense paid trip for two adults to
the land of the “Red Sun.” Finally, www.redsuncigarettes.com
provides a password protected “trade portal” for licensed tobacco
resellers.
22nd Century also announced this week that its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Goodrich Tobacco Company, will attend the Tobacco Plus
Convenience Expo in Las Vegas on January 28-29, 2015. RED SUN
cigarettes will be offered for sampling and sale at this
for-the-trade only exposition. Company representatives will also be
on hand to discuss the RED SUN Trade Partners Program with all
interested, eligible retailers and distributors in attendance.
For additional information about 22nd Century Group, please
visit: www.xxiicentury.com
Additional Information about the Trade Partners
Program
The Company has filed a registration statement (including a
prospectus and prospectus supplement) on Form S-3 (File No.
333-195386) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for
the offering related to the Trade Partners Program. For more
information, you should read the prospectus in that registration
statement, the prospectus supplement filed on January 9, 2015
forming a part thereof, and other documents that the Company has
filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company
and this offering. You may obtain these documents for free by
visiting EDGAR on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively,
the Company will arrange to send you copies of the prospectus and
most recent prospectus supplement if you request such documents by
calling us at (716) 270-1523.
This is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to
sell any security of the Company nor will there be any offer, sale
or solicitation of any security in any jurisdiction in which such
offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
above summary of the Trade Partners Program is qualified in its
entirety by the more detailed and most current official rules of
the Trade Partners Program contained in the most recently filed
registration statement (including all prospectuses and prospectus
supplements) relating thereto.
About 22nd Century Group, Inc.
22nd Century is a plant biotechnology company whose proprietary
technology allows for the levels of nicotine and other nicotinic
alkaloids (e.g., nornicotine, anatabine and anabasine) in the
tobacco plant to be decreased or increased through genetic
engineering and plant breeding. The Company’s technology also
allows the levels of cannabinoids to be decreased or increased in
the cannabis plant. 22nd Century owns or is the exclusive licensee
of 128 issued patents plus an additional 53 pending patent
applications; 22nd Century also holds co-exclusive rights to
another 2 patents and 16 patent applications. Goodrich Tobacco
Company, LLC, Hercules Pharmaceuticals, LLC and Botanical Genetics,
LLC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of 22nd Century. Goodrich Tobacco
is focused on commercial tobacco products and potentially less
harmful cigarettes. Hercules Pharmaceuticals is focused on X-22, a
prescription smoking cessation aid in development. Botanical
Genetics is focused on novel cannabis plant varieties and on
cannabis-based products.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press
release contains forward-looking information, including all
statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the
intent, belief or current expectations of 22nd Century Group, Inc.,
its directors or its officers with respect to the contents of this
press release. The words “may,” “would,” “will,” “expect,”
“estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend” and similar
expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results,
levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should
be considered with any written or oral forward-looking statements
that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable
law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not
intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform
these statements to reflect actual results, later events or
circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. You should carefully review and consider the various
disclosures made by us in our annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, filed on January 30, 2014,
including the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and our other
reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors
that may affect our business, financial condition, results of
operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those
expected or projected.
Redington, Inc.Tom Redington, 203-222-7399
22nd Century (AMEX:XXII)
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