22nd Century Featured on the Cover of Tobacco International Magazine

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 that 22nd Century is the featured cover story
of the newest issue of Tobacco International magazine (see www.tobaccointernational.com).
In a feature story entitled, “The Turn of the XXII Century Group,”
Murdoch McBride, Editor-in Chief of Tobacco International,
interviews 22nd Century Group Chief Executive Officer, Henry Sicignano
III, to explore the Company’s technology, ambitions, and important
mission.

In the cover article, McBride remarks: “Under CEO Henry Sicignano III,
we are now seeing something of a turn of the century, with XXII
transitioning from an early R&D [only] focus to the commercialization of
its proprietary technology…” 22nd Century remains, at its core, an
innovative biotechnology company that is aggressively pursuing the
application of its game-changing technology to reduce the harm caused by
smoking. McBride calls this disruptive mission a “bold endeavor” and
then poses probing questions throughout the interview, both to
understand the spirited biotechnology company and to determine what the
future may hold for 22nd Century’s remarkable technology.

When asked about 22nd Century’s near term and longer term goals,
Sicignano sums up the Company’s activities succinctly:

“1. Secure an FDA marketing order for BRAND A, Very Low Nicotine
reduced exposure cigarettes in the United States; 2. Announce a
strategic partner for Phase III clinical trials in support of X-22, the
Company’s smoking cessation product; and 3. Grow sales and profits for
22nd Century. Well within the next five years, the Company also plans to
1. Launch BRAND A in the United States; 2. Submit a Modified Risk
Tobacco Product application to the FDA for BRAND B, low tar-to-nicotine
ratio cigarettes; 3. Apply for FDA approval for X-22… and launch X-22 in
the United States; and 4. Introduce 22nd Century’s proprietary tobacco
products in Asia. Achieving any one or more of these important
goals will transform 22nd Century into a true industry leader as it
helps millions of people around the world reduce the harm caused by
smoking.”

Later in the interview, McBride moves the discussion from tobacco
science to cannabis technology, noting that “though cannabis is outside Tobacco
International’s purview, 22nd Century holds the exclusive license in
the U.S. for the technology to increase or decrease levels of
cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.” On this topic, McBride asks, “[Has] the cannabis genome been fully mapped and how important an area of
interest [is] cannabis… for XXII?”

Sicignano responds: “The cannabis genome is sequenced, though the
sequencing does appear to have gaps…. [22nd Century] intends to be the
world leader in cannabis research through its ongoing research
partnership with Anandia Laboratories in Canada.” Sicignano adds: “Dr.
[Paul] Rushton [the Company’s Vice President of Plant Biotechnology] will work to ensure that 22nd Century is one of the world’s foremost
leaders in sponsored research on the cannabis plant with the objectives
of producing low/no THC strains for use in hemp production and high CBD
strains for use in the medical marijuana markets.”

McBride concludes the interview by asking Sicignano about the many
regulatory hurdles faced by 22nd Century. In answering this question,
Sicignano again asserts 22nd Century’s determination to achieve the
Company’s important harm reduction mission: “While successfully
navigating regulatory issues does impact 22nd Century greatly, the
Company is not simply following the path of least resistance… Instead,
22nd Century seeks to introduce its products [and technology] where they
will accomplish the most good…”

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. The Company’s strong IP
position led to a licensing agreement with British American Tobacco
(“BAT”), the world’s second largest tobacco company. Visit www.xxiicentury.com,
www.magiccigarettes.com,
or www.redsuncigarettes.com
for more information.

About Tobacco International

Founded in 1886, Tobacco International is the tobacco industry’s leading
trade journal for tobacco product manufacturers and the leaf trade. It
provides readers with the cutting-edge tobacco-related news coverage and
reaches more than 11,000 subscribers (the most of any tobacco industry
publication), including top-level industry members worldwide. Visit www.tobaccointernational.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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