Williamsville, New York-based 22nd Century Group, a biotechnology company engaged in modifying the content of nicotine in tobacco through genetic engineering and plant breeding, says its contracted farmers across three states have planted twice the number of acres planted lasts year.

The company, which is developing prescription smoking-cessation aids and tobacco harm reduction products, currently has enough tobacco in inventory for about $40 million in sales of finished products (including X-22, a prescription smoking cessation aid). It also says this year's 129-acre harvest—which has doubled in size each year since 2009—is anticipated to more than double last years sales figures at roughly $90 million. The company, which started contracting with tobacco farmers in 2008, said it has essentially doubled the number of acres planted each year since 2009.