KT&G and PMI Extend Global E-cigarette Collaboration

Jan.30.2023
KT&G and PMI Extend Global E-cigarette Collaboration
KT&G and PMI renewed a 15-year contract to sell their non-combustible products globally, helping with KT&G's overseas market position.

According to a report by Yonhap News Agency on January 30th, Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation (KT&G) and Philip Morris International (PMI) have extended a supply contract for 15 years. KT&G will distribute its three types of non-burning heated products through PMI's global sales network, except in South Korea.


The products include the Lil Solid, Lil Hybrid, and Lil Aible devices, as well as their corresponding proprietary pods named Fiit, Miix, and Aiim.


During a press conference, KT&G CEO Baek Bok-in stated that this collaboration will help strengthen KT&G's position for smokeless products in international markets. The extension of the three-year strategic agreement signed with PMI in 2020 will also lay the foundation for stable growth in their global business.


KT&G Corporation recently announced during an investor event that it aims to double its sales by 2027, reaching a total of 10 trillion Korean won (approximately $8.1 billion USD). The company plans to obtain more than half of these revenues from their overseas businesses, while also strengthening their next-generation product (NGP) division, which includes heated non-burning (HnB) products and functional health foods.


According to reports, 90% of KT&G's current revenue comes from cigarette sales and the remaining 10% comes from their HnB products. The company has four tobacco manufacturing plants located in South Korea, Russia, Turkey, and Indonesia with a yearly production capacity of 13.6 billion units. Since signing an agreement with Philip Morris International in 2020, KT&G has expanded the export of their HnB products to over 30 countries.


Sources:


KT&G has set a goal of generating 50% of its sales from overseas markets by 2027.


KT&G and PMI have extended their partnership to expand their presence in global markets with e-cigarettes.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Retail Case Study | Wisconsin Vape Market One Year After New Regulations: Johnny Vapes Reports 80% Sales Decline as Consumers Shift Online and Across State Lines
Retail Case Study | Wisconsin Vape Market One Year After New Regulations: Johnny Vapes Reports 80% Sales Decline as Consumers Shift Online and Across State Lines
According to WNCY on August 24, 2026, some independent vape retailers in Wisconsin say they have faced significant business pressure one year after new vape regulations took effect. Johnny Vapes, a retailer operating in northeast Wisconsin, said its store count fell from seven locations to four, sales declined by about 80%, and roughly 90% of its inventory was affected. Retailers said some consumers have shifted to online purchases or traveled to neighboring Michigan to buy vape products. The case highlights how local regulations can reshape retail operations, inventory management and consumer purchasing patterns.
Aug.28
Major U.S.  Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
Major U.S. Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
New York vape distributor Ecto World, which operates as Demand Vape, hired political consultant Roger Stone to lobby the Executive Office of the President on regulation of vaping and related products while facing state enforcement and multiple lawsuits. Public lobbying disclosures show that Ecto World paid at least $300,000 for the work through June 30, 2026. Separately, New York State announced in March that more than 28,500 pounds of vaping products tied to the company had been seized, while New York City and the state have pursued legal or enforcement actions. Public records do not show that the lobbying directly changed any specific regulatory or enforcement outcome.
Sep.08
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
China Tobacco International (HK) reported a 26.9% revenue decline in H1 2026, while gross profit fell only 9.5%, revealing sharp divergence across its businesses. Tobacco leaf imports contracted, while leaf exports and Brazil operations expanded strongly. Cigarette exports faced China duty-free market transition, and new tobacco products remained small. Meanwhile, CTIHK continues to strengthen its role as an investment and financing platform, though major external deals have yet to emerge. 2Firsts examines what these shifts mean for its next growth drivers.
Capital Markets
Aug.24
UK Sets Oct. 29 Start for New Vape Retail Rules Covering Age Checks, Giveaways and Discounts
UK Sets Oct. 29 Start for New Vape Retail Rules Covering Age Checks, Giveaways and Discounts
The UK Department of Health and Social Care published new guidance on Aug. 11 outlining the next phase of retail rules under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which will take effect on Oct. 29, 2026. The measures extend the minimum age of sale of 18 to all vaping and consumer nicotine products and restrict proxy purchasing, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts. Relevant offences in England, Wales and Scotland may carry a £200 fixed penalty notice, while persistent offenders can face temporary sales bans.
Aug.12
South Korea Imports 12,126 Kg of Nicotine Analogues From April to August After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea Imports 12,126 Kg of Nicotine Analogues From April to August After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea's liquid-vape market is showing changes across raw-material imports, product types and sales channels after synthetic nicotine came under the Tobacco Business Act on April 24. Customs data show nicotine-analogue imports totaled 12,126 kilograms from April through August, while synthetic-nicotine imports over the same five months totaled 231,663 kilograms, just 39.3% of the amount imported in March alone. Physical liquid-vape stores tracked in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province fell 9.9%, unmanned outlets edged higher and online sales listings increased from 27,774 to 42,437. Government testing of 105 liquid inhalation products promoted as nicotine-free separately found nicotine in 13 and 6-methylnicotine in 12.
Sep.22
Wall Street Journal: U.S. FDA Plans Faster Vape and Nicotine Pouch Reviews, Revisit of 2021 PMTA Rule
Wall Street Journal: U.S. FDA Plans Faster Vape and Nicotine Pouch Reviews, Revisit of 2021 PMTA Rule
The Trump administration is preparing changes intended to accelerate FDA market authorization reviews for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, according to The Wall Street Journal. The FDA is expected to revisit its 2021 PMTA rule and may simplify some scientific study requirements and shorten review times. The agency has not formally announced the changes. Over the past year, the FDA has already accelerated nicotine-pouch reviews, expanded ENDS authorizations and upgraded its CTP Portal NextGen application system. As of August 2026, 43 nicotine pouch products and 48 e-cigarette products had received FDA marketing authorization.
Sep.24