Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products

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Key Points

• PMJ launches four ZYN Strong products in Japan.
• Strong becomes the third intensity level in the ZYN by IQOS lineup.
• Four existing flavors receive Strong variants.
• The Japanese ZYN portfolio expands from eight to 12 products.
• Strong products entered duty-free channels in July before broader retail rollout in August.

2Firsts

August 20, 2026

According to information released by Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) on August 18, 2026, the company has begun expanding the ZYN by IQOS Strong series in Japan. The launch adds a new Strong intensity level alongside the existing Low and Medium ranges, expanding the Japanese ZYN by IQOS portfolio to 12 products.

The Strong series had previously entered selected duty-free channels in Japan from July 1, 2026, including major airports and city duty-free locations. From August 18, the products expanded to IQOS Store Ginza, the ZYN Online Store, selected IQOS Shops, IQOS Corners and tobacco retailers in Tokyo.

ZYN Adds Strong Tier Across Four Existing Flavors

The latest launch does not introduce new flavors. Instead, PMJ has added a new intensity level across the existing four-flavor portfolio.

The new Strong variants include:

● Cool Mint Strong;

● Spearmint Strong;

● Apple Mint Strong;

● Peach Strong.

Previously, ZYN by IQOS Japan offered:

● Low;

● Medium.

With Strong added, the lineup now includes three intensity levels:

● Low;

● Medium;

● Strong.

Product specifications:

From Duty-Free Channels to Broader Japanese Retail

The ZYN Strong rollout follows a phased market approach.

In July 2026, PMJ initially introduced the Strong series through selected duty-free channels, including major Japanese international airports and city duty-free locations.

From August 18, the products expanded into additional consumer channels, including:

● IQOS Store Ginza;

● ZYN Online Store;

● Selected IQOS Shops in Tokyo;

● IQOS Corners;

● Selected tobacco retailers.

The rollout follows the broader development path of ZYN by IQOS in Japan, moving from limited channels toward wider availability.

Strength Segmentation Becomes a Key Portfolio Strategy

PMJ’s latest expansion focuses on intensity segmentation rather than additional flavor creation.

The Strong series retains the existing four flavor profiles:

● Cool Mint;

● Spearmint;

● Apple Mint;

● Peach.

PMJ Portfolio Marketing Director Daniel Sevcik said that more experienced users in overseas markets tend to prefer stronger stimulation levels, leading the company to introduce Strong as an additional option in Japan.

PMJ also recommends that first-time users begin with the Low series when trying oral tobacco pouches.

Industry Perspective

The launch of ZYN Strong reflects PMI’s continued refinement of its oral tobacco pouch portfolio in Japan.

Rather than introducing a new brand or product format, PMJ is expanding the existing ZYN by IQOS ecosystem by adding intensity tiers within the same flavor structure.

As oral nicotine and tobacco pouch categories continue developing globally, strength segmentation, flavor expansion and phased channel rollout are becoming important approaches for portfolio management.

For PMI, the expansion of ZYN in Japan demonstrates efforts to broaden its smoke-free product portfolio beyond IQOS through additional product categories.

Follow 2Firsts for the latest news on global tobacco and next-generation nicotine product launches, product innovation, technology evolution and market trends.

Cover image source: Philip Morris Japan

2FIRSTS | ZYN by IQOS to Roll Out Across Tokyo From May 11 Through IQOS Shops and Lawson

Philip Morris Japan announced on April 23 at a product briefing that ZYN by IQOS, an oral tobacco pouch previously launched in selected areas, will expand sales in Tokyo. The company said the product will be released progressively from May 11 through IQOS shops, Lawson and other outlets in the city. The launch will include four flavors, each offered in Low and Medium intensity levels, for a total of eight products.

www.2firsts.com

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