KT&G Corp. to expand HNB product line in Korea

Nov.10.2022
KT&G Corp. to expand HNB product line in Korea
South Korea's major tobacco company, KT&G Corp., is adding new HNB products to its product line.

Seoul, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean major tobacco company, KT&G Corp., announced on Wednesday that they will introduce a new HNB (Heat-Not-Burn) product to the domestic market to diversify their product lineup, which currently focuses on cigarettes.


The company stated in a press release that on November 16, KT&G will launch a promotional campaign for their heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco product named lil ABLE and its premium version, lil ABLE PREMIUM, for local consumers.


HNB products are electronic devices that contain tobacco, which distinguishes them from e-cigarettes. The tobacco is heated to high temperatures instead of being ignited, producing smoke that the user inhales.


During the July-September quarter, KT&G's net profit surged 29% to 463 billion Korean won (approximately 2.4 billion Chinese yuan) from 359 billion Korean won a year earlier, thanks to increased exports and a weakening Korean won.


Currently, 90% of KT&G's total sales come from the cigarette business sector, with the remaining 10% coming from their HNB (Heat-Not-Burn) department. The company has been actively working to increase sales in their non-cigarette business sectors.


From January to September, net income increased by 21% from the same period last year, rising from 878.58 billion Korean won to 1.06 trillion Korean won (approximately 5.6 billion yuan).


New product line "Lil Able Series." Image source: Hankyoreh.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended solely for industry exchange and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS is not able to confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is intended solely for industry exchange and research.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the compiled article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accurate representation.


2FIRSTS asserts complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or international issues and positions.


The compilation of information is owned by the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



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.

2Firsts On-Site | CTIHK Showcases Nicotine Pouches, Heated Tobacco and Chinese Cigars at InterTabac 2026
2Firsts On-Site | CTIHK Showcases Nicotine Pouches, Heated Tobacco and Chinese Cigars at InterTabac 2026
At InterTabac 2026 in Dortmund, China Tobacco International (HK) Company Limited (CTIHK) is exhibiting across two separate booths in Hall 5 and Hall 4. Products observed by 2Firsts include heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches, Chinese cigars and tobacco leaf. Nicotine pouch products on display include TOOP, Shuangxi and Ashima.
Market
Sep.16
Product | BAT Revises Japan's VELO Convenience Store Lineup, Adding ¥380 Mango Pouches as Selected SKUs Exit
Product | BAT Revises Japan's VELO Convenience Store Lineup, Adding ¥380 Mango Pouches as Selected SKUs Exit
British American Tobacco's Japanese subsidiary, BAT Japan, launched VELO Mango Ice Medium on November 2, 2026, with distribution expanding to selected 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, NewDays and Seicomart stores from November 3. The new oral tobacco product contains 15 pouches per can and retails for ¥380, featuring a mango and cooling flavor profile at Medium intensity. At the same time, BAT Japan raised prices on multiple existing VELO products from ¥360 to ¥380 per can and withdrew selected SKUs from convenience store distribution without discontinuing them entirely. The changes affect product assortment, pricing and retail channel allocation.
product
Nov.04
Zhang Xiaotang Appointed Deputy Director of China’s Tobacco Regulator, Adding Another Finance-Background Official to Top Leadership
Zhang Xiaotang Appointed Deputy Director of China’s Tobacco Regulator, Adding Another Finance-Background Official to Top Leadership
China’s State Council has appointed Zhang Xiaotang as deputy director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, with the regulator’s official website now listing him as a Party leadership group member and deputy director. Zhang previously led Hebei China Tobacco and earlier headed the STMA’s finance and audit department. His appointment follows the elevation earlier this year of former tax official Yao Laiying to head the STMA, adding another senior official with a strong fiscal or financial-management background to China Tobacco’s top leadership in 2026.
News
Sep.20
Special Report | From New York to Washington: How FDA’s Tobacco Center Is Reworking Product Review
Special Report | From New York to Washington: How FDA’s Tobacco Center Is Reworking Product Review
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products is reshaping how it approaches tobacco product review. Based on 2Firsts’ on-site reporting in New York and Washington, this report traces CTP’s emerging direction: stronger links between PMTA and tobacco harm reduction, more category-specific review, greater emphasis on decision-relevant science, more predictable timelines and expanded use of sPMTA for product modifications. CTP also acknowledged major constraints, including just nine PMTA review teams, persistent backlogs and limits on hiring capacity.
Regulations
Oct.08
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
South Korea Extends Vape Rules to Unmanned Stores After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea Extends Vape Rules to Unmanned Stores After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said on September 14 that it plans to designate unmanned e-cigarette stores as businesses where minors are prohibited from entering or working. Operators would be required to verify customers' ages and display notices restricting access by minors. The proposal is open for public comment through October 6. The move follows an April expansion of South Korea's statutory tobacco definition that brought products made with natural or synthetic nicotine under the Tobacco Business Act. Nicotine-free liquids and products using nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine, however, remain an emerging regulatory issue.
Sep.21