22nd Century Group Issues Corporate Update On Modified Risk Tobacco Product Renewal Process For VLN Reduced Nicotine Content Products

Extensive Clinical Data Continues to Demonstrate VLN® Reduced Nicotine Content Tobacco Helps Reduce Smoking and Increase Quit Attempts

Growing List of VLN® Based Cigarette Brands Bring Non-Addictive Alternatives to the Fight Against Smoking

MOCKSVILLE, N.C., July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:XXII), the only tobacco products company that has for 27 years led and continues to lead the fight against the harms of smoking driven by nicotine addiction today announces a corporate update regarding its Modified Risk Tobacco Product renewal process for its innovative VLN® reduced nicotine content products - the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically to reduce the health harms of smoking.

Originally authorized in December 2021 and due for renewal in December 2026, a growing list of brands are using VLN® tobacco containing 95% less nicotine than conventional, highly addictive cigarettes. Decades of independent clinical research studies and an extensive list of peer reviewed publications that were included as part of the FDA's MRTP authorization process have demonstrated that smoking VLN® reduced nicotine content cigarettes lowers the amount of addictive nicotine consumed, can reduce the rate of smoking, increase quit attempts by smokers and reduce the health harms of smoking. Based on independent clinical research studies included in the original MRTP decision, FDA authorized VLN® claims include:

• "95% less nicotine"
• "Helps reduce your nicotine consumption"
• "Greatly reduces your nicotine consumption"
• "Helps you smoke less"

The renewal process is part of 22nd Century's ongoing R&D programs that continue to advance reduced nicotine content in tobacco and support the introduction of additional VLN® based products that give tobacco users further health oriented non-addictive alternatives to conventional tobacco products, as well as to new nicotine delivery products that are designed to create and sustain nicotine addiction.