<div id="readability-page-1"><article>Expansion in 2026 Forecasted to Exceed 5,000 Retail Outlets Nationwide as Consumers Demonstrate Interest in VLN® Brands VLN® Remains the Only FDA-Authorized Combustible Cigarette Designed to Reduce Nicotine Consumption MOCKSVILLE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), a tobacco products company focused on reducing the harms of smoking through nicotine reduction, today announced continued early sales momentum for its VLN® low nicotine cigarette products in the U.S. market. The Company’s proprietary low nicotine technology is designed to serve adult smokers who want to change their smoking habits by significantly reducing nicotine consumption. 22nd Century is focusing on smoker health and wellness by giving smokers an opportunity to control their tobacco consumption, rather than switching them to another highly addictive product like a vape or pouch. Regulatory Momentum Underscores Significant Market Opportunity The Company’s progress aligns with accelerating regulatory developments. In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule to mandate a maximum nicotine level of 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco in combustible cigarettes. If finalized, the rule would require cigarettes sold in the United States to contain minimally addictive or non-addictive levels of nicotine. 22nd Century believes VLN® is uniquely positioned in this evolving regulatory landscape, demonstrating both the scientific and commercial feasibility of very low nicotine cigarettes. Globally, nicotine reduction is also supported under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, developed under the auspices of the World Health Organization. The FCTC recognizes product regulations, including nicotine reduction to minimally addictive levels—as a key strategy for reducing tobacco dependence and supporting cessation. Together, these developments reinforce what 22nd Century has long advanced: reducing nicotine content is central to addressing addiction itself. Early Commercial Traction and Expanding Retail Footprint In the fourth quarter of 2025, approximately 8,800 cartons of VLN® low nicotine combustible cigarettes were distributed across approximately 1,700 new retail outlets nationwide. Initial sell-through data from participating retailers indicates encouraging early consumer adoption, with adult smokers now purchasing VLN® products across all three brand presentations: 22nd Century VLN®, Pinnacle VLN®, and Smoker Friendly VLN®. Smokers seeking greater control over nicotine intake are beginning to incorporate VLN® products into their smoking journey, validating the Company’s belief that a large, underserved segment of adult smokers is looking for meaningful alternatives. Expanding distribution across multiple classes of trade is central to unlocking this opportunity. By securing placement with large convenience store retailers, national and regional wholesalers, and independent chains, 22nd Century is broadening access, increasing visibility, and strengthening replenishment cycles. This diversified distribution strategy is designed to accelerate awareness, trial, and sustained adoption as retail points of distribution expand. “We have achieved ignition. Following our initial distribution phase, smokers are now purchasing our VLN® combustible cigarettes across all markets,” said Larry Firestone, Chief Executive Officer of 22nd Century Group. “Early adoption validates years of scientific investment and positions us at the forefront of a potentially transformative shift in the tobacco industry. At the same time, we are seeing growing international interest—from markets exploring tobacco harm reduction policies to potential partners interested in our proprietary very low nicotine tobacco leaf.” Firestone continued, “This is a long-term opportunity. As we continue to demonstrate sustained smoker adoption of VLN® products, we expect to expand our retail footprint. We plan to grow to more than 5,000 points or more of distribution in 2026 by continuing to add new retail partners across all classes of trade and have significantly advanced sales discussion with partners we anticipate adopting VLN® branded products over the upcoming months. We remain committed to addressing nicotine addiction itself and making our reduced-nicotine products broadly available to adult consumers.” “As regulatory bodies in the United States and around the world increasingly consider nicotine reduction as a cornerstone of tobacco control policy, we believe we are uniquely positioned at the intersection of science, regulation, and consumer demand. By combining proprietary plant biotechnology, FDA-authorized claims, and expanding retail distribution, the Company aims to play a leading role in accelerating the transition toward minimally addictive combustible cigarettes and supporting adult smokers seeking meaningful change.” concluded Firestone. FDA Authorization and Scientific Foundation VLN® low nicotine combustible cigarettes were authorized in December 2021, making them the first and still the only combustible cigarettes authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically to help reduce nicotine consumption. Decades of independent clinical research and peer-reviewed studies—evaluated as part of the FDA’s Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) authorization process—demonstrated that reducing nicotine content can decrease nicotine intake, increase quit attempts, and reduce overall exposure to nicotine. FDA-authorized VLN® claims include: <ul type="disc"><li>“95% less nicotine”</li><li>“Helps reduce your nicotine consumption”</li><li>“Greatly reduces your nicotine consumption”</li><li>“Helps you smoke less”</li></ul> About 22nd Century Group, Inc. 22nd Century Group is pioneering the Tobacco Harm Reduction Movement by enabling smokers to take control of their nicotine consumption. <div>Our Technology is TobaccoOur proprietary non-GMO reduced nicotine tobacco plants were developed using our patented technologies that regulate alkaloid biosynthesis activities resulting in a tobacco plant that contains 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco plants. Our extensive patent portfolio has been developed to ensure that our high-quality tobacco can be grown commercially at scale. We continue to develop our intellectual property to ensure our ongoing leadership in the tobacco harm reduction movement.</div> Our Products We created our flagship product, the VLN® cigarette using our low nicotine tobacco, to give traditional cigarette smokers an authentic and familiar alternative in the form of a combustible cigarette that helps them take control of their nicotine consumption. VLN® cigarettes have 95% less nicotine compared to traditional cigarettes and have been proven to allow consumers to greatly reduce their nicotine consumption. VLN® and Helps You Smoke Less® are registered trademarks of 22nd Century Limited LLC. Learn more at xxiicentury.com, on X (formerly Twitter), on LinkedIn, and on YouTube. Learn more about VLN® at tryvln.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our full year business outlook. Forward-looking statements typically contain terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “consider,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “explore,” “foresee,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “preliminary,” “probable,” “project,” “promising,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding (i) our cost reduction initiatives, (ii) our expectations regarding regulatory enforcement, including our ability to receive an exemption from new regulations, and (iii) our financial and operating performance. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are set forth in “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 2025 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q on May 13, 2025, August 14, 2025, and November 4, 2025. All information provided in this release is as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investor Relations &amp; Media Contact Matt Kreps Investor Relations 22nd Century Group investorrelations@xxiicentury.com 214-597-8200 <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti/query-bmY9T1RZMU9UWTBNU00zTkRVd016TTVJelV3TURFek1UUTROQT09?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti/query-bmY9T1RZMU9UWTBNU00zTkRVd016TTVJelV3TURFek1UUTROQT09"/> <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/ZjkyNjFhYTYtOGU5NC00ZDNjLTk0MTEtM2FkYTFhZmEzODc4LTUwMDEzMTQ4NC0yMDI2LTAyLTIzLWVu/tiny/22nd-Century-Group-Inc-.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1" height="1" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/ZjkyNjFhYTYtOGU5NC00ZDNjLTk0MTEtM2FkYTFhZmEzODc4LTUwMDEzMTQ4NC0yMDI2LTAyLTIzLWVu/tiny/22nd-Century-Group-Inc-.png"/></article></div>

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22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII) reports strong early sales momentum for its VLN® low nicotine cigarettes, with distribution expanding to 1,700 retail outlets and plans to exceed 5,000 by 2026. The FDA's proposed rule to limit nicotine levels positions VLN® favorably in the market. The company aims to support adult smokers in reducing nicotine consumption, backed by scientific research and FDA authorization. CEO Larry Firestone emphasizes the potential for a transformative shift in the tobacco industry, focusing on nicotine reduction as a key strategy for addressing addiction.

22nd Century Group Reports Continued Early Sales Momentum for VLN® Cigarette Products | XXII Stock News