South Korean Tobacco Company KT&G to Halt "ESSE Change Icefall"

Business by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jun.21.2024
South Korean Tobacco Company KT&G to Halt "ESSE Change Icefall"
South Korean tobacco company KT&G to halt supply of ESSE Change Icefall due to declining sales, favoring e-cigarettes.

According to a report by N.News on June 21, the South Korean tobacco company KT&G plans to stop supplying the ultra-thin cigarette "ESSE Change Icefall" that has been on sale since March of last year.


The company has announced that the product will suspend supply to convenience stores starting from mid-month. It is reported that this decision to halt production is based on improving portfolio efficiency.


This strategy has emerged due to the declining sales of traditional cigarettes domestically, while the popularity of e-cigarettes is on the rise. According to data from the Ministry of Finance, as of last year, sales of cigarette-shaped e-cigarettes increased by 12.6% compared to the previous year, reaching 610 million packs. This data indicates a clear preference among consumers for cigarette-shaped e-cigarettes.


In the overall market, the market share of cigarette-style e-cigarettes has also increased to 16.8%, a 2% increase from the previous year.


On the contrary, sales of traditional cigarettes have been gradually decreasing since reaching a peak of 3.447 billion packs in 2017, dropping to 3.023 billion packs last 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

Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Launches New Slay Nicotine Pouch Brand in UK Targeting Female Consumers
Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Launches New Slay Nicotine Pouch Brand in UK Targeting Female Consumers
Hungary’s Continental Tobacco Group has launched its Slay nicotine pouch brand in the UK, featuring compact, pastel-toned packaging and backed by a multi-million-pound investment and retail pilot programme to build its presence in the local market.
Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia's Finance Ministry Proposes Regional Vape Sales Bans from 2026
Russia's Finance Ministry Proposes Regional Vape Sales Bans from 2026
Russian Finance Ministry has drafted amendments allowing regional governments to ban the retail sale of vapes and e-liquids between September 1, 2026, and September 1, 2031. Regions must enact their own legislation and notify the Federal Service for Alcohol and Tobacco Control (Rosalkogoltabakkontrol), which will publish a list of participating regions.
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | ELFBAR Launches New Open-System Device in UK with Three Pod Options and 2800mAh Battery
Product | ELFBAR Launches New Open-System Device in UK with Three Pod Options and 2800mAh Battery
ELFBAR has launched its new open-system device ELFX MEGA, compatible with 2 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL pods and equipped with a 2800mAh battery that delivers significantly longer runtime than its predecessor. The device has passed MHRA notification in the UK and is now available online in the UK at a retail price of around £18.99.
Nov.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
France’s Top Administrative Court Suspends Nicotine Pouch Decree
France’s Top Administrative Court Suspends Nicotine Pouch Decree
France’s Council of State has suspended a government decree that was set to ban the manufacture, production and export of nicotine pouches from April 2026. The court ruled that companies were not given sufficient time to reorganise their operations. A final decision on the legality of the decree is expected by June 2026. The court noted that the commercial sale of nicotine pouches is already restricted under existing public health laws.
Dec.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China Boton Group Announces Temporary Trading Halt Pending Major Disposal Announcement
China Boton Group Announces Temporary Trading Halt Pending Major Disposal Announcement
China Boton Group Company Limited (Stock Code: 3318) announced that trading in its shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) was temporarily suspended at 9 a.m. on December 8, 2025. The suspension was requested by the company pending the release of an announcement related to a “very substantial disposal.”
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand Seizes Over 42,000 Illegal Vapes Worth USD 340,000
Thailand Seizes Over 42,000 Illegal Vapes Worth USD 340,000
Thai authorities announced the seizure of more than 42,000 smuggled vapes worth approximately THB 10.87 million (USD 340,000).
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai