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

Source from:  Business Wire 05/26/2016

22nd Century Group, Inc., 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." Enditem