A “Healthier” Smoke-Free Cigarette, It Exists, But Will We Ever Get It?

ZUG, Switzerland, — In January 2003, the Swiss firm NicStic AG filed for a patent on a product that could represent a quantum leap for smokers; a cigarette that is not only low in nicotine, but is actually smoke free. For the millions of Americans at risk of
second-hand smoke this could be a lifesaver. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the US, killing nearly one million Americans each year, next is smoking related diseases.

But now, two years after filing for the patent, when one might expect the company to bring the ‘no-smoke cigarette’ to market, the Swiss firm is being coy and tight-lipped, is
NicStic AG, putting up a smoke screen, perhaps fearing a backlash from big tobacco worried that the revolutionary new smoke-free cigarette might put a dent in domestic cigarette sales? “No.” responds NicStic spokesman Evert Wilbrink. “That's not it at all.
We plan to market NicStic right along side the major brand name cigarettes as a healthier
smoke free alternative to traditional tobacco products.”

That sounds definite enough. But when pressed, Wilbrink begins to hedge. “There are no
imminent plans to launch in the US,” Wilbrink says. However, the company recently
announced that Swiss Medic, the Swiss equivalent of the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), has approved the sale and distribution of NicStic smokeless
cigarettes as an (OTC) over-the-counter product in Switzerland.

“Smoking alternatives are very popular on the European market, like nicotine gum,
nicotine nasal sprays, and even nicotine beer are fine at delivering nicotine, but they do
not mimic smoker's satisfaction, NicStic is like a real cigarette,” explains Wilbrink.
“With NicStic in hand, now smokers and non-smokers can finally live together in peace.”

NicStic AG says it will be on the market in European countries like Switzerland with the
smokeless cigarette by the end of September 2005. The Swiss acceptance may also speed
up approvals for other European countries. The recent anti-smoking laws in the Irish
Republic, Norway, Sweden and Italy have already led to significant cultural changes,
countries like the England, France and Belgium may soon to follow.

“In the United States, where politicians in California and New York have imposed
smoking bans in bars, NicStic is expected to be an instant hit with consumers
experiencing nicotine withdrawal in non-smoking situations,” says Richard H. Davis,
President of Beverage Marketing USA, Inc., “Offering the nicotine fix in smoke free bars
and restaurants could be a way to keep from losing loyal smoking customers.”

In March 2004, Metropolitan Worldwide, Inc., licensed the North American rights to
develop and commercialize the smokeless cigarette from Swiss-based NicStic AG. In
January 2005, this license was modified to cover additional countries in Europe and
elsewhere. The worldwide collaborative development program between Metropolitan
Worldwide, Inc. and NicStic AG seeks to demonstrate the utility of the smokeless
cigarette as a healthier smoke free alternative to traditional tobacco products. The US and
Canadian introduction of NicStic is slated for the Spring of 2006. For more information
about NicStic, please visit: http://www.nicstic.com.


CONTACT:

Metropolitan Worldwide, Inc.
Evert Wilbrink, 954/318-4515
info@mwwm.us
http://www.nicstic.com

SOURCE: Beverage Marketing USA, Inc.