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

Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship
Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship
Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, issued a statement on December 10, 2025, condemning Philip Morris International (PMI) for partnering with Ferrari to promote Zyn nicotine pouches on Formula 1 cars. She said PMI’s claim that the sponsorship targets adults is misleading, as F1’s audience has become increasingly young—with over 4 million children aged 8–12 now following the sport.
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
COP11 Update: Deep Divide Over Regulation of E-cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as EU Pushes Back Against "Total Ban" Draft
COP11 Update: Deep Divide Over Regulation of E-cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as EU Pushes Back Against "Total Ban" Draft
At the ongoing COP11 in Geneva,a bloc led by Brazil and the Maldives has submitted a draft proposing "prohibition" as the primary policy path. In response, the European Union has submitted amendments requesting that the wording be adjusted to optional regulation, preserving the right of member states to decide on sales bans based on their own national laws.
Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Vietnam Passes Amended Investment Law Banning E-Cigarette and Heated Tobacco Businesses
Vietnam Passes Amended Investment Law Banning E-Cigarette and Heated Tobacco Businesses
On December 11, 2025, Vietnam’s National Assembly passed the amended Investment Law, officially banning investment and business activities related to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The new law also adds several high-risk and socially sensitive sectors to the list of prohibited business activities, including narcotics, wildlife trade, human organs and embryos, sex work, human cloning, fireworks, debt collection, and trade of national treasures.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippines Probe Agency Seizes 800 Smuggled Vape Products in Manila, Stores Face Multiple Charges
Philippines Probe Agency Seizes 800 Smuggled Vape Products in Manila, Stores Face Multiple Charges
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently seized around PHP 250,000 (approximately USD 4,250) worth of smuggled and unregistered vape devices and liquids—about 800 items in total—from two stores in Manila. Authorities said the devices could be modified to discreetly consume cannabinoids and other illegal drugs, and that those involved will face charges under the Philippines’ Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act and the Consumer Act.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Pakistan is experiencing a sharp rise in nicotine use among teenagers, driven by widespread availability of flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Cheap, sweet-flavoured devices are easily accessible in major cities, and weak enforcement of age limits has enabled young users to adopt vaping at alarming rates. Activists warn that industry marketing falsely portrays e-cigarettes as “safer,” putting youth at risk of long-term addiction and serious health effects.
Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Morocco Lawmakers Propose Excise Taxes on Vapes, Hookah, and Nicotine Alternatives
Morocco Lawmakers Propose Excise Taxes on Vapes, Hookah, and Nicotine Alternatives
Members of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) have submitted amendments to Article 7 of the Finance Bill, introducing new excise taxes on e-cigarette liquids, hookah accessories, and non-tobacco nicotine products. The proposal also revises VAT exemptions and insurance tax rates to enhance fiscal fairness and revenue clarity.
Nov.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai