According to a report by South Korean media outlet, etoday, on January 9th, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is ready to enter the South Korean market, driven by the success of KT&G and Philip Morris International (PMI) in the heated tobacco market (HNB).
According to industry sources, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Korea is expected to introduce heated tobacco sticks to convenience store cigarette shelves in Korea in the first half of this year. This move is seen by the tobacco industry as part of JTI Korea's efforts to launch a new type of e-cigarette. Currently, JTI Korea does not sell HNB (heat-not-burn) tobacco and tobacco stick products in the area.
Since 2022, JTI has registered over 100 design patents related to e-cigarettes with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. These patents encompass all aspects of e-cigarette devices and associated components, including the trademark for their newly launched HNB product, "Ploom X," which is currently being sold in Japan.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is a Japanese tobacco company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and operates a subsidiary called JTI Korea in South Korea. Although JTI introduced its liquid pod-based e-cigarette product, Ploom Tech, in South Korea in 2019, the company discontinued its sales in 2021. However, due to JTI's global expansion of its e-cigarette business, the industry is optimistic about JTI Korea's prospects in the South Korean e-cigarette market.
A representative from JTI Korea stated that the plans to release e-cigarettes have not been finalized yet, but they are continuously considering various possibilities to enter the e-cigarette market in Korea based on consumer demand and industry trends.
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
