CLARENCE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American:XXII), a plant biotechnology company focused on tobacco harm reduction and Very Low Nicotine tobacco, announces the nicotine reduction mandate planned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is attracting the interest of public health officials and scientists around the world.

Held in Cape Town, South Africa from March 7-9, 2018, the 17th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCOTH) will feature several speakers from the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). A Panel discussion on Wednesday, March 7th, will include CTP Director Mitch Zeller who will address “The U.S. as an Example for Product Regulation.” Held once every three years, the WCOTH is the premier, international conference on tobacco control. More than 3,000 attendees, including tobacco control experts, researchers, scientists and policy makers, are expected to attend.

In remarks delivered late last month at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) Annual Meeting, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb continued to build the case for a policy that reduces nicotine to minimally or non-addictive levels in all cigarettes sold in the United States: “…we’ll solve the tobacco crisis by addressing the root issue of tobacco addiction: nicotine…. [we] could save millions of lives.” Dr. Gottlieb also revealed “…we have an article nearing publication that includes updated modeling statistics for the potential positive public health impact of such a standard… and the results are significant.” (emphasis added)

“It is clear that the FDA continues to move forward with the Agency’s comprehensive plan to regulate nicotine and tobacco,” explained James Swauger, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Science and Regulatory Affairs at 22nd Century Group. “The interest from international organizations, including SRNT and WCOTH, is a clear indication that policies to reduce nicotine in combustible cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels are already under consideration around the globe.”

About 22nd Century Group, Inc.

22nd Century is a plant biotechnology company focused on genetic engineering and plant breeding which allows the increase or decrease of the level of nicotine in tobacco plants and the level of cannabinoids in hemp/cannabis plants. The Company’s primary mission in tobacco is to reduce the harm caused by smoking. The Company’s primary mission in hemp/cannabis is to develop proprietary hemp strains for important new medicines and agricultural crops. Visit www.xxiicentury.com and www.botanicalgenetics.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, 2016, filed on March 8, 2017, 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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