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

PMI Extends Ferrari Partnership to 2026, Bringing ZYN Nicotine Pouches to F1

Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced that it will extend its partnerships with Scuderia Ferrari HP and the Ferrari Challenge through the 2026 season and beyond, with its smoke-free nicotine pouch brand ZYN set to appear on Ferrari’s F1 livery for the first time from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The company estimates that, as of June 30, 2025, more than 41 million adult consumers were using its smoke-free products worldwide.

Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai

AG Miyares Argues Vape Ban Consistent with Federal Law, Seeks Dismissal

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Tax Commissioner James J. Alex have asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes. They argue plaintiffs lack standing because the products are already illegal under federal law. The state denies claims of federal preemption and asserts sovereign immunity, maintaining that its ban aligns with its authority to protect public health.

Nov.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Kazakhstan Denies Rumors of Easing Hookah and Vape Restrictions: Deputy Interior Minister Reaffirms “Zero Tolerance” for Vapes

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov (Санжар Адилов) addressed social media rumors that the government may ease restrictions on hookahs and vapes. He confirmed that hookah regulations are under interagency review, but the strict ban on vapes remains unchanged and has recently been reinforced with criminal liability.

Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai

5th Circuit Reviews FDA’s Compliance on Small-Business Impact of Vape Rule

A Fifth Circuit panel expressed doubts about whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration complied with the Regulatory Flexibility Act when issuing its 2021 final rule on premarket tobacco product applications. Vape companies argued the FDA relied on outdated and inaccurate economic data, while the government said the challenged requirements stem from the Tobacco Control Act.