22nd Century issues letter to shareholders

22nd Century (XXII) Group issued the following letter to stockholders from Larry Firestone, the Chief Executive Officer of 22nd Century Group: “We recently released our second quarter 2025 earnings, along with important corporate updates regarding the ongoing launch and rollout of VLN(R) products… Perhaps one of the most exciting updates in that report was the early adoption of our VLN approach by two well-established partner brands, Smoker Friendly and Pinnacle, with more expected to follow. The initial Pinnacle VLN stocking orders were shipped in August, bringing reduced nicotine content options to even more smokers looking for new ways to reduce their smoking habit… The FDA’s proposed new Tobacco Product Standard for Nicotine Yield could be the most groundbreaking and effective new tobacco regulation in a generation. Designed specifically to curb the nicotine addiction that keeps smokers smoking, the proposed 0.7mg/g maximum nicotine content standard is based on extensive clinical documentation that incorporated real-world testing of actual products produced by 22nd Century… With two partner brands announced and more in discussion, it is no longer debated whether a VLN based future is possible – it is clear with our help, tobacco-based products can fully transition to a reduced nicotine version under any and every brand… we have also announced projects to bring VLN products to market as 100mm cigarettes, plus international versions of combustible products tailored to the consumer preferences of those markets. .. We are investigating a potential link between our non-GMO low nicotine tobacco genetics and substantially lower levels of harmful TSNAs… This is an exciting time for our Company, and I thank you for being a valued shareholder as we continue on this journey. “