2023 First Half: Tobacco Market Trends and E-Cigarette Growth

Jul.28.2023

South Korea's tobacco market saw a slight decline in cigarette sales during the first half of 2023, while the market share for e-cigarettes increased to over 16%.

According to a report by Yonhap News Agency on July 27th, the South Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance has released a report on the tobacco market trends for the first half of 2023. The report reveals a slight decline in cigarette sales in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, while the market share of heated tobacco products (HNB) such as e-cigarettes has continued to grow, reaching over 16% of the overall tobacco market.

According to the report, tobacco sales in the first half of 2023 totaled 1.77 billion units, representing a decrease of 0.6% compared to the same period last year when sales reached 1.78 billion units.

It is worth noting that the market share of the disposable e-cigarette is gradually increasing.

In the first half of this year, the share of cigarette-style e-cigarettes in the overall tobacco sales reached 16.5%, a 1.7 percentage point increase from last year's 14.8%. Starting from 2.2% in 2017, the share has steadily climbed each year, experiencing an approximate eight-fold growth over a span of six years.

However, the tobacco export volume decreased by 0.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of 175 million units.

Due to a decline in export volume, tobacco sales tax revenue has also been affected, decreasing by 0.4%, reaching 57 trillion Korean won.

References:

Cigarette sales in the first half of the year reached 1.77 billion packs, with electronic cigarettes accounting for 16.5% of the market.

Also Read:

[1] KINTEX Takes Measures Over Regulatory Concerns of Korea Vape Show 2023

[2] Fromis_9 Members' Caught Using Vape

[3] China Tobacco Deputy Director Meets KT&G Vice President

#E-cigarette #E-cigarettes and Tobacco #E-cigarette Market #Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

1,200 Health Leaders Urge UK Parliament to Pass Tobacco and Vapes Bill Swiftly

Over 1,200 UK health leaders urged Parliament to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill quickly, calling it vital to protect future generations. The bill would ban tobacco sales to anyone born after Jan 1, 2009, and restrict vape packaging and flavours. Health groups warned delays risk undermining “gamechanging” public health reforms.

Oct.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai

SKE Partners with 7-Eleven Korea, Placing Its Products in Over 5,700 Stores

According to an SKE release published on PR Newswire, the company is expanding its presence in the Korean market through convenience store and specialty retail channels. SKE has partnered with 7-Eleven Korea, placing its products in more than 5,700 stores nationwide, and is also working with OG9’s offline retail and B2B distribution network. On the product side, SKE is focusing on promoting the Crystal Bar TB1000 and Cloud Zero in Korea.

Nov.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Malaysia CID Endorses Nationwide Vape Ban Amid Rising Drug-Laced Vape Cases

Malaysia’s Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has voiced support for a nationwide ban on vaping, particularly targeting drug-laced vape devices, to address rising abuse cases.

Oct.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly

Pakistan is experiencing a sharp rise in nicotine use among teenagers, driven by widespread availability of flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Cheap, sweet-flavoured devices are easily accessible in major cities, and weak enforcement of age limits has enabled young users to adopt vaping at alarming rates. Activists warn that industry marketing falsely portrays e-cigarettes as “safer,” putting youth at risk of long-term addiction and serious health effects.