22nd Century Group Inc. develops and commercializes reduced-nicotine tobacco products built on proprietary plant biotechnology. Its VLN® combustible cigarette products use low-nicotine tobacco and are described in company materials as FDA-authorized reduced nicotine cigarettes in the United States. Company updates commonly address VLN retail distribution, state authorizations, PMTA-related product expansion, licensing strategy, tobacco-variety research and engagement with FDA and public-health stakeholders.
News also covers operating results for the tobacco business, including branded VLN products, contract manufacturing volumes, filtered cigars and other distributed tobacco products. Recent company reporting frames results around commercial expansion, cost management, higher-margin branded products and the completed exit from the hemp/cannabis business.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) announced an expansion of its Pinnacle Pure cigarette lineup to six stock-keeping units. The additions include 100’s-size and Menthol (Green) varieties, alongside the existing Yellow and Blue offerings.
The new varieties are expected to begin shipping in December 2026. Pinnacle Pure, made with tobacco and water, launched at major U.S. retailers in the second quarter of 2026. The company said the broader lineup supports its distribution expansion plans.
22nd Century Group (XXII) reported preliminary third-quarter 2026 results, expecting net revenue to rise 66% from the prior quarter.
For continuing operations in the quarter ended September 30, the company expects revenue of approximately $4.8 million, versus $2.9 million, and gross profit of approximately $0.4 million, versus a $0.3 million loss. Expected operating and net losses are each $2.6 million, versus $3.3 million each in the second quarter. Expected adjusted EBITDA loss, a non-GAAP earnings measure, is $2.2 million, versus $3.5 million. Operating expenses are expected to remain $3.0 million.
Quarter-end cash and equivalents were $3.9 million. As of October 22, 2026, common shares outstanding totaled 3,416,441, with no warrants outstanding. These estimates are unaudited and subject to change; the company anticipates releasing third-quarter earnings on or before November 13, 2026.
22nd Century Group (XXII) reported a 161% increase in combined same-store retail unit sales of Pinnacle VLN and Pinnacle Pure.
The increase was from the second to third quarter at its launch retail partner, which operates approximately 1,500 outlets. The company believes growing consumer awareness and recent marketing and promotional activities contributed to the increase. Pinnacle VLN has been on the market for approximately one year, while Pinnacle Pure was recently added. The company plans to pursue additional retailers to expand distribution.
22nd Century Group (XXII) highlighted a French health agency’s recommendation to cap nicotine across combustible tobacco products. ANSES recommends applying any limit to cigarettes, rolling tobacco and cigars, and considering it across the European Union. Its assessment, validated in December 2025, identifies the company’s approach as one currently used commercially to produce very-low-nicotine cigarettes.
22nd Century has sourced non-GMO reduced-nicotine tobacco at commercial scale and says it is available to support a potential French or EU initiative. No nicotine cap is announced. The company estimates that, if such a rule is implemented, France’s sustainable legal retail market could be approximately €8–13 billion over the first three to five years. The FDA filed renewal applications for two of the company’s authorized VLN products for scientific review in May 2026.
22nd Century Group (XXII) called on federal officials on September 24, 2026, to finalize a proposed nicotine limit for combustible tobacco.
The pending standard would cap nicotine at 0.70 milligrams per gram of total tobacco in cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, most cigars and pipe tobacco. It was proposed on January 15, 2025, and its public comment period closed on September 15, 2025. No final rule or published timeline has followed. The company also asked for a public scientific advisory review and for cigarette retailers to make shelf space available for very-low-nicotine products.
22nd Century’s FDA-authorized VLN cigarettes contain 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes. Its Mocksville, North Carolina, facility has capacity to produce more than 45 million cartons of combusted tobacco products annually. An FDA model estimates that adopting the standard would prevent approximately 48 million U.S. youth and young adults from starting to smoke by 2100.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) announced it will participate in the HC Wainwright Conference on September 15, 2026 at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York. Chairman and CEO Larry Firestone and CFO Dan Otto are scheduled to attend, and investors can register and request meetings through their HC Wainwright representative.
The company highlighted its proprietary non-GMO reduced-nicotine tobacco plants, which contain about 95% less nicotine than traditional tobacco plants, and its VLN and Pinnacle VLN cigarettes. According to 22nd Century Group, VLN cigarettes are the only low-nicotine combustible cigarettes authorized by the FDA in the United States.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) reported second quarter 2026 net revenues of $2.9 million, down from $4.1 million in the prior quarter and $4.1 million a year ago. Gross loss improved to $0.3 million, while operating loss widened to $3.3 million and net loss was $3.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $3.5 million. The company ended the quarter with $6.1 million in cash and no debt.
According to 22nd Century Group, cigarette revenues declined as it shifted away from low-priced export customers toward higher-margin VLN® products. The company expanded Pinnacle VLN® distribution by about 150 stores in metro New York/New Jersey, initiated launches in roughly 60 California stores, and now has a presence in more than 2,000 outlets across 20 states.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) will release its second quarter 2026 financial results via press release at approximately 6:00 AM ET on Thursday, August 13, 2026, followed by a webcast at 8:00 AM ET.
Chairman and CEO Larry Firestone and CFO Dan Otto will review financial performance, discuss second-quarter progress, and provide an update on plans for full-year 2026. Investors can access the live and archived webcast through the Events page in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website, with early log-in recommended for registration and any necessary software installation.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) has appointed Katherine Rouse-Bailey as Vice President of Marketing to support expanded marketing initiatives for its VLN® and Pinnacle® cigarette brands. The company aims to strengthen brand awareness, increase consumer trial, and support retail sell-through across its growing commercial footprint in the second half of 2026 and beyond.
Rouse-Bailey brings 20 years of consumer health marketing experience at Johnson & Johnson, Galderma and Nestlé Health Science, with an MBA and science degrees. According to 22nd Century Group, the initiatives will build on momentum from the Q4 2025 VLN® launch and its broader VLN® commercialization strategy, supported by FDA authorization of VLN® low nicotine cigarettes.
22nd Century Group (Nasdaq: XXII) launched a Pinnacle VLN® reduced-nicotine cigarette retail trial in California, entering about 60 stores initially.
The launch creates the brand’s first California retail presence and a pathway that, if expanded, could reach 2,000+ additional outlets in one of the nation’s largest, policy‑driven tobacco markets.
VLN® is the first and, according to the company, still the only combustible cigarette FDA-authorized to help reduce nicotine consumption, with claims such as “95% less nicotine” and “Helps reduce your nicotine consumption.”