22nd Century Launches MAGIC 0 Very Low Nicotine Cigarettes in France

CLARENCE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE MKT:XXII),
a plant biotechnology company that is a leader in tobacco harm
reduction, announced today the receipt of an initial purchase order for
MAGIC 0 Very Low Nicotine cigarettes from French distributor, Royal
Distribution. Beginning in June, Royal Distribution will promote and
sell the MAGIC brand in France as the world’s lowest nicotine tobacco
cigarette. Before the end of 2016, Royal Distribution projects it will
have placed MAGIC 0 cigarettes in more than 750 tobacco stores
throughout France.

22nd Century is also negotiating with distributors in several additional
countries to introduce MAGIC 0 Very Low Nicotine cigarettes broadly to
European smokers who wish to reduce their exposure to nicotine. The
Company expects to accelerate rollout of MAGIC 0 in Europe and in other
markets in the months to come. The American MAGIC website, www.magiccigarettes.com,
is available in 8 languages including English, French, Spanish, Italian,
Dutch, German, Chinese, and Japanese, and provides details on the
science that makes the world’s lowest nicotine cigarettes possible – all
without any artificial extraction or chemical processes.

Mr. Mourad Senouci, Director and co-owner of Royal Distribution
explained: “MAGIC is different from any other cigarette brand on the
French market. Royal Distribution has always been a trendsetter, and
this will be also the case with MAGIC. We will focus our marketing on
the unique benefits of MAGIC and on its innovative Very Low Nicotine
tobacco.”

22nd Century’s MAGIC cigarettes are made with the Company’s proprietary
Very Low Nicotine tobacco and are manufactured for sale in Europe on
behalf of 22nd Century by Orion Tobacco Corporation. Designed to appeal
to discriminating consumers and positioned to compete with premium
cigarette brands, MAGIC 0 cigarettes yield only 0.04 mg nicotine per
cigarette – 95% less nicotine than conventional cigarette brands. The
proprietary tobacco used in MAGIC cigarettes is grown on independently
owned farms in the United States and results in an extraordinary
cigarette with all of the taste of a conventional cigarette, but with non-addictive
levels of nicotine. Unlike conventional cigarettes, MAGIC cigarettes are
crafted with a specialty carbon filter which provides full air flow for
a smoking experience that smokers describe as “exceptionally smooth and
rich.”

“The public health implications of a virtually nicotine-free tobacco
cigarette are enormous and 22nd Century is proud to be in a position to
bring such an important product to market in France,” explained Henry
Sicignano, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of 22nd Century.
“Indeed, France is the first of many European countries that will
receive MAGIC 0 Very Low Nicotine cigarettes this year; we are now
accelerating rollout of this extraordinary product.”

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
or www.magiccigarettes.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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