CLARENCE, N.Y.--()--22nd Century Group, Inc. (OTCBB: XXII), a company focused on tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation products, today announced that its subsidiary, Goodrich Tobacco Company, is making two of its proprietary cigarette brands (and related tobacco blends) available to licensees and distributors outside the United States.
In response to numerous inquiries from around the world, Goodrich Tobacco is offering MAGIC® EXPORT the world’s only virtually nicotine-free tobacco cigarette and MOONLIGHT™, a cigarette with exceptionally low “tar” per milligram of nicotine, to international partners. As an initial part of this effort, 22nd Century has signed a confidential letter-of-intent for an exclusive agreement to market the company’s technology, brands and tobacco blends in India.
22nd Century’s technology allows for the level of nicotine in the tobacco plant to be decreased or increased through genetic engineering and plant breeding. For example, one of the company’s proprietary tobacco blends has the world’s lowest nicotine content: 97% less nicotine than tobacco in “light” cigarettes. MAGIC® EXPORT virtually nicotine-free cigarettes look, smoke, and taste like conventional cigarettes. MOONLIGHT™ cigarettes contain a proprietary tobacco blend resulting in a nicotine yield of a full-flavor cigarette, but a “tar” yield of a “light” cigarette.
22nd Century has contracted directly with American farmers since 2008 to grow its proprietary tobacco. Previously reported independent research studies have fueled demand for virtually nicotine-free cigarettes (also referred to as very low nicotine or VLN cigarettes), and since the company has now harvested sufficient levels of tobacco leaf to export its products, 22nd Century decided the time is right to commence international distribution.
22nd Century’s technology and tobacco are patented in 79 countries, including the top tobacco markets of the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Indonesia, South Korea and Brazil. Approximately 6 trillion cigarettes (300 billion packs of 20) were sold globally in 2011. Over the next five years, cigarette industry volume is projected to increase by approximately 1% per year.
Henry Sicignano III, president of Goodrich Tobacco, explained, “Based on inquiries we receive, there is demand for our brands in practically every country, especially for nicotine-free tobacco cigarettes which simply do not exist outside the United States.” Accordingly, 22nd Century believes that MAGIC® EXPORT and MOONLIGHT™ will achieve meaningful share in the global cigarette market among smokers who are interested in alternative products.
To become an exclusive licensee, import agent or distributor, on a country-by-country basis, please send inquiries to info@GoodrichTobacco.com.
For additional information on 22nd Century Group, please visit: www.xxiicentury.com
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