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

Sweden on Track to Become Europe’s First Smoke-Free Nation as Snus and Nicotine Pouches Support Declining Smoking Rates

According to Gulf News, Sweden is nearing the World Health Organization’s smoke-free threshold, with daily smoking falling below 5%. Two decades of public health efforts and the growing use of lower-risk alternatives such as Snus and tobacco-free nicotine pouches have contributed to this shift, alongside declines in tobacco-related deaths and lung cancer cases.

Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai

2Firsts Feature | The “Pink Tax” in Vaping: How Women-Centric Design and Pricing Are Recasting the Competitive Landscape

Overseas e-cig brands are embracing “for her” designs, turning devices into fashion accessories. 2Firsts notes a new “pink tax” emerging through design and pricing, reflecting shifting gender and branding strategies.

Oct.20

Australia Leads COP11 Seminars as Exploding Illicit Tobacco Market Raises Questions

Australia sent a delegation to COP11 in Switzerland and is leading three major seminars to showcase its vape and tobacco control policies. But at home, illicit cigarette sales are skyrocketing amid record-high taxes, drawing criticism from the tobacco industry and prompting doubts over policy effectiveness.

Nov.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai

China’s E-Cigarette Exports Rise to USD 1.098 Billion in October 2025, Up 23.7% Year-on-Year as U.S. Demand Surges

China’s e-cigarette exports reached USD 1.098 billion in October 2025, rising 24.8% month-on-month and 23.7% year-on-year, according to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of China. Export concentration increased to 83.11%, with the U.S. market contributing the largest share of monthly growth.