KT&G and PMI Partner to Expand E-Cigarette Market in Central and South America

PMI by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.09.2024
KT&G and PMI Partner to Expand E-Cigarette Market in Central and South America
KT&G and PMI partner to expand e-cigarette market in Central and South America, with PMI launching KT&G's "lil" globally.

According to a report by South Korean media outlet View.Nate on May 9, the South Korean company KT&G plans to enter the Central and South American market for its e-cigarette product "lil" through a partnership with Philip Morris International.

 

PMI will actively sell KT&G's e-cigarette products and will sell its "lil" product globally outside of South Korea.

 

According to reports, on the 2nd day, PMI successfully launched its new e-cigarette "IQOS Iluma" in Mexico. Following the new product launch in Mexico, PMI plans to introduce IQOS in Brazil. The company submitted an approval application for IQOS products to Brazil in March last year, aiming to further promote its non-combustible products in the Central and South American markets.

 

Thanks to the diversity in the non-combustible product market in Central and South America, this has also driven the demand for PMI's KT & Ge-cigarette product "lil".

 

Jorge Calleja, Marketing Director of PMI Mexico, stated, "After 5 months of preparation, we have finally launched 'IQOS Iluma' in the Mexican market. This is an important milestone in our push for smoke-free products in Mexico."

 

In January 2023, KT&G and PMI signed a new long-term contract for the international marketing of "lil," agreeing to a 15-year agreement that will last until 2038. PMI has promised to sell at least 16 billion units of KT&G e-cigarette products over the next year.

 

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

Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
China-based Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Baisha Technology Co., Ltd. have filed a patent application covering an adult-user identification mechanism for heated tobacco devices. The patent proposes using flexible pressure sensors installed in the device grip area to collect pressure distribution patterns generated when users hold the device. The system evaluates factors including effective contact area, grip shape and contact duration, and combines roller movement detection to determine whether unlocking conditions are met. The filing reflects exploration of device-level user recognition and smarter interaction technologies for heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Aug.05
Canadian Court Allows Juul and Altria Vape Class Action to Move Forward Over Youth Marketing Claims
Canadian Court Allows Juul and Altria Vape Class Action to Move Forward Over Youth Marketing Claims
A Quebec Superior Court has allowed a class action lawsuit against Juul Labs and Altria Group related to vaping products to proceed, involving allegations concerning marketing practices, youth exposure and corporate responsibility. The ruling only allows the case to move forward and does not represent a finding that Juul or Altria are legally liable. The case highlights continued legal risks facing vape companies regarding product marketing, youth protection and corporate accountability.
Jul.28
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
The Ohio Supreme Court is hearing a case involving flavored vape sales and whether state authorities can use consumer protection laws to take action against retailers selling unauthorized vape products. Ohio officials argue that selling unauthorized flavored vapes may constitute consumer deception, while retailers argue that tobacco product regulation falls under federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority and that states cannot impose additional restrictions through consumer laws. The case could affect the scope of state-level vape regulation across the United States.
Aug.06
UK PM Andy Burnham Shifts Business Rates Policy, Supporting Hospitality While Raising Pressure on Vape Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Shifts Business Rates Policy, Supporting Hospitality While Raising Pressure on Vape Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government is adjusting business rates policy to support hospitality businesses while some other sectors, including vape retailers, face higher operating cost pressures. According to Streamline Feed, AJ Bell and other reports, the policy shift reflects a redistribution of business rate burdens as the government seeks to support sectors facing economic pressure. For UK vape shops, the change comes amid a broader regulatory environment shaped by the disposable vape ban, the upcoming Vaping Products Duty and increased compliance requirements.
News
Jul.24
After Apple Business Decline, South Korea’s ITM Semiconductor Expands KT&G Vape Supply Chain as Vape Revenue Rises 24.8%
After Apple Business Decline, South Korea’s ITM Semiconductor Expands KT&G Vape Supply Chain as Vape Revenue Rises 24.8%
South Korean electronics component supplier ITM Semiconductor is reshaping its business portfolio after a decline in Apple-related protection circuit business, expanding its supply of vape devices and cartridges to KT&G. According to News1 on August 18, 2026, ITM’s vape-related revenue rose 24.8% year on year to 75.5 billion won in the first half of 2026. The company began mass production of vape devices at its Cikarang, Indonesia facility in January 2026, strengthening export manufacturing capacity. Meanwhile, Samsung-related protection circuit sales continued to grow, providing support during the transition.
Aug.20
FIFA Bans Vaping in 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Putting Nicotine Rules in Event Compliance Focus
FIFA Bans Vaping in 2026 World Cup Stadiums, Putting Nicotine Rules in Event Compliance Focus
FIFA’s 2026 World Cup stadium rules prohibit smoking, vaping and the use of any tobacco products or electronic smoking devices inside stadiums, including inner and outer perimeters, while electronic smoking devices, tobacco products, lighters and matches are listed as prohibited items, bringing nicotine-product management, venue compliance and cross-border legal differences into focus at a major global sporting event.
Jul.06