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-addictivelevels 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. Visitwww.xxiicentury.com orwww.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.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160525005440/en/