Century's best initiative

22nd Century says that it could supply within one growing season enough low-nicotine-tobacco seed to satisfy the needs of the US tobacco industry.
The company’s claim is contained in a press note outlining its response to the US Food and Drug Administration’s proposed rule that would require all cigarettes sold in the US to contain minimally or non-addictive levels of nicotine.
‘In preparation for the prompt implementation of the new FDA rule, 22nd Century is already growing increased amounts of the company’s VLN™ tobacco in order to be able to supply a sufficient quantity of the company’s proprietary VLN™ tobacco seeds to grow enough VLN™ tobacco for the entire US tobacco industry in just one growing season,’ the press note said.
22nd contrasted its position with that of Reynolds American, which, 22nd said, believed the industry was 20 years away from being able to comply with the FDA’s proposed rule.
22nd Century said in the press note that it was willing to license the use of its VLN™ technology and VLN™ tobacco seeds/plants to all interested companies.
‘The availability of this licensing opportunity from 22nd Century negates any argument by other tobacco companies that contend it is somehow not possible to comply with the planned FDA nicotine reduction mandate,’ the note added.
“Big tobacco companies now have a choice: Combat, obfuscate and attempt to delay the most important public health initiative of the last 100 years… or demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the health of their customers,” said Henry Sicignano, III, president and CEO of the 22nd Century Group. “Now that 22nd Century’s VLN™ technology is proven and readily available for licensing, it will be interesting to see which big tobacco companies genuinely care about smokers… and which are determined to keep their customers addicted to the deadliest consumer product available on the market.”