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

JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine
JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) CEO Takehiko Tsutsui said the company plans to invest about ¥800 billion (approximately US$5.4 billion) in heated tobacco products over three years through 2028, aiming to establish Ploom as a second growth engine after combustible cigarettes. Tsutsui said Ploom AURA helped JT increase its share of Japan’s heated tobacco market to 15.8% in the first quarter of 2026. Ploom products are now available in 29 markets, with Ploom AURA sold in 25 markets including Japan. JT also plans to continue its cigarette business while positioning its food operations, particularly frozen noodle products in North America, as another growth opportunity.
Jul.23
South Korea Brings Synthetic-Nicotine E-Cigarettes Under Tobacco Rules From June 24, Targeting Online Sales and Evasion
South Korea Brings Synthetic-Nicotine E-Cigarettes Under Tobacco Rules From June 24, Targeting Online Sales and Evasion
South Korea began full enforcement of tobacco-style rules for synthetic-nicotine e-cigarettes on June 24, 2026, with fines of up to 100,000 won for use in non-smoking areas and enforcement focus on online sales, raw nicotine liquids and products falsely marketed as nicotine-free.
MarketNews
Jun.25 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Oral Thin-Film Technology Firm CTT Pharma Eyes U.S. Nicotine Product Trials
Oral Thin-Film Technology Firm CTT Pharma Eyes U.S. Nicotine Product Trials
CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings said it has signed a letter of intent with a U.S. company to conduct clinical trials and testing for several potential nicotine products using its patented oral thin-film technology.
Jun.18
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24
Korean component maker ITM Semiconductor says Indonesia unit starts e-cigarette device output as related Q1 revenue rises 55.4%
Korean component maker ITM Semiconductor says Indonesia unit starts e-cigarette device output as related Q1 revenue rises 55.4%
South Korea’s KOSDAQ-listed electronics-component maker ITM Semiconductor said its Indonesia subsidiary has begun full-scale mass production of e-cigarette devices, with first-quarter revenue from the business rising 55.4% year on year to 42.1 billion won, Maeil Business Newspaper reported.
Jul.08
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
A new Virginia law that took effect on July 1, 2026, requires retailers to obtain permits to sell liquid nicotine, vape and tobacco products, while directing Virginia ABC to conduct inspections and verify that stores sell only products listed in the state directory.
Jul.20