Leading Scientists Advocate Dramatic
Reduction of Nicotine Content in Cigarettes
22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE MKT:XXII), a plant biotechnology
company that is a leader in tobacco harm reduction, announced today
that a group of leading scientists from the United States and New
Zealand have published a special paper in an international
peer-reviewed journal strongly advocating for a “national nicotine
reduction policy.” The article, published in the September issue of
Tobacco Control journal online, outlines the compelling and urgent
case for enacting a national nicotine policy in order to
dramatically lower smoking rates. The authors cite results from
many of the 15 major clinical studies conducted with 22nd Century’s
Very Low Nicotine (VLN) tobacco.
Drs. Eric Donny, Natalie Walker, Dorothy Hatsukami, and Chris
Bullen authored the special paper that asserts governments around
the world should reduce the nicotine content of cigarettes to “…≤
0.4 mg per gram of tobacco, a 95-98% reduction in nicotine content
relative to what is currently on the market.” The Tobacco Control
article reinforces the World Health Organization recommendation
that member countries “mandate reductions in nicotine to minimally
addictive levels.”
With ownership or exclusive control of more than 200 patents on
the genes in the tobacco plant that regulate nicotine production,
22nd Century is the only company in the world capable of growing
tobacco with up to 97% less nicotine than conventional tobacco
plants. Company scientists believe that at just 0.04 mg per gram of
tobacco, nicotine is non-addictive and yet still present in
sufficient amounts to stimulate a small number of bio-receptors in
the brain, thus greatly reducing cravings in smokers.
22nd Century’s proprietary Very Low Nicotine SPECTRUM®, MAGIC®,
and BRAND A cigarettes have the taste and sensory characteristics
of conventional cigarettes, but contain approximately 95% less
nicotine than conventional cigarettes made by Altria Group, Inc.
(NYSE: MO) and Reynolds American, Inc. (NYSE: RAI), including
Marlboro®, Newport®, Camel®, and American Spirit®.
Building on the results of previously-conducted clinical
studies, the Tobacco Control article authors summarize the highly
attractive characteristics of VLN tobacco: “…in current smokers,
very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes decrease nicotine
exposure, decrease cigarette dependence, reduce the number of
cigarettes smoked per day and increase the likelihood of
contemplating, making and succeeding at a quit attempt.”
Dr. Donny and his collaborators point out the cost of delaying
policies to reduce nicotine: “waiting for the results of
[additional] trials before seriously discussing a [nicotine
reduction policy] that is rooted in decades of research… could
delay potential action and ultimately lead to a failure in efforts
to more rapidly improve public health.” As cited in the Tobacco
Control article, scientists associated with a previous
recommendation by the American Medical Association, predict that a
dramatic reduction in nicotine content in the United States will
result in a reduction of smoking rates to just 5%.
The Tobacco Control article authors suggest that such a national
nicotine policy could be the centerpiece legislation necessary for
New Zealand to reach its goal of becoming smoke-free by 2025.
Because the island-nation has a clearly defined goal of becoming
smoke-free (< 5% prevalence by 2025), and because regulators and
tobacco control experts in New Zealand have well-developed tobacco
control programs in place, the Tobacco Control paper recognizes
that New Zealand presents a “unique opportunity” to implement a
nicotine reduction policy for combustible cigarettes.
Furthermore, many New Zealand consumers appear ready to embrace
a national nicotine reduction policy. In a recent population-based
survey of New Zealanders, 81% of random consumers and 63% of
current smokers believe “The nicotine content of cigarettes should
be reduced to very low levels so that they are less addictive.”
(New Zealand Medical Journal, Volume 129, Number 1430.)
“New Zealand’s goal of becoming smoke free by 2025 is both
laudable and achievable,” observed Dr. Paul Rushton, Vice President
of Plant Biotechnology at 22nd Century Group. “We are proud that
world-renowned scientists are proposing that Very Low Nicotine
Content cigarettes play an important part in New Zealand’s
smoke-free objective.”
“Though New Zealand seems to be winning the race, the FDA
already has the regulatory authority to mandate maximum nicotine
levels for cigarettes sold in our country,” explained Henry
Sicignano, III, President and CEO of 22nd Century Group. “We think
the United States could – and should – be the first country to
require all cigarette manufacturers to offer consumers a Very Low
Nicotine brand style alongside their existing products.”
About 22nd Century Group, Inc.
22nd Century is a plant biotechnology company focused on
technology which allows it to increase or decrease the level of
nicotine in tobacco plants and the level of cannabinoids in
cannabis plants through genetic engineering and plant breeding. The
Company’s primary mission is to reduce the harm caused by smoking.
22nd Century currently owns or exclusively controls more than 200
issued patents and more than 50 pending patent applications around
the world. Visit www.xxiicentury.com and www.heraclespharma.com for
more information.
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, including but not limited to our future revenue
expectations. 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, 2015, filed on February 18, 2016,
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.
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Investor Relations:IRTH CommunicationsAndrew Haag,
866-976-4784xxii@irthcommunications.comorRedington, Inc.Tom
Redington, 203-222-7399
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