22nd Century Group, in conjunction with North Carolina State University, has developed very low nicotine (VLN) tobacco varieties without resorting to genetic modification, the company said.

“These second generation non-GMO VLN tobacco varieties also show improved ripening and curing qualities,” the New York based plant biotech company said. One variety tested was flue-cured and another was air-cured burley. “These new non-GMO very low nicotine tobacco varieties are already under cultivation and study in the company’s laboratories in Buffalo, New York. 22nd Century anticipates having commercial quantities of seed for the non-GMO varieties by 2018.”