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22nd Century Launching the First Reduced Nicotine Cigarette Authorized by the FDA That Helps You Smoke Less
FDA Mandates Addition of Extra Claim “Helps You Smoke Less” on PackagingU.S. Pilot Market Launch with Major Retail Partner by March 2022 BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan.

About this update from 22nd Century Group, Inc
[{"type":"text","content":"FDA Mandates Addition of Extra Claim “Helps You Smoke Less” on PackagingU.S. Pilot Market Launch with Major Retail Partner by March 2022 BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 18, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On December 23, 2021 the FDA announced an historic landmark decision in the fight against smoking when it authorized VLN® King and VLN® Menthol King from 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII) as the first and only reduced nicotine content (RNC) cigarettes under its Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) designation. Scientific studies show the Company’s VLN® reduced nicotine content cigarettes “help you smoke less.” 22nd Century is now moving aggressively to bring VLN® to market. A pilot launch will begin in its first major metropolitan market by March 2022 and then marketing and distribution is expected to expand to a full nationwide launch. The FDA decision on VLN® is a major event for public health in the fight to reduce the harm caused by smoking. Not only did 22nd Century receive the MRTP authorization based on its application requests, the FDA proactively added an extra and incredibly valuable claim of “Helps You Smoke Less” mandated on every package to educate the consumer about the product’s benefit. VLN® King and VLN® Menthol King are the only FDA authorized reduced nicotine content combustible cigarettes in the U.S. tobacco products market, estimated at approximately $80 billion in size. “The FDA’s MRTP authorization of VLN® ushered in a new reality – a combustible cigarette carrying an authorized harm reduction claim supported by extensive scientific and clinical studies, most of which were funded by federal health agencies,” said James A. Mish, Chief Executive Officer. “VLN is the only reduced harm product of its kind, and we are confident based on the research that it can absolutely be successful on its own or in combination with other harm reduction products. With an estimated 1,300 deaths per day associated with U.S. smoking, our products that can help people smoke less offer a truly a game-changing prospect for millions of American adults who currently smoke.” 22nd Century intends to commence its pilot market launch in March 2022 in order to test and optimize its marketing mix educating smokers about the benefits of reduced nicotine content VLN® King and VLN® Menthol King cigarettes. The pilot will help the Company better understa...