22nd Century Group announced the appointment of Richard Sanders, a former chief executive of Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company (SFNTC), to its board of directors.

Sanders joined the board effective 9 Dec, 22nd Century said. He was chief executive of SFNTC, the Reynolds American subsidiary that makes Natural American Spirit cigarettes, from 2002 until June, 2009. Sanders brings 32 years of industry experience to 22nd Century, a US company that uses genetic engineering to alter nicotine levels in tobacco plants.