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

Indonesian Parliament Reviews Narcotics Law Draft, May Include Vape Ban Proposal
Indonesian Parliament Reviews Narcotics Law Draft, May Include Vape Ban Proposal
According to Beritasatu, Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives is reviewing the Draft Law on Narcotics and Psychotropics and considering including a proposal from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to ban vapes.
Apr.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Proposed vaping duty in Jersey: £467,000 forecast for 2026 as it takes effect in the second half of the year
Proposed vaping duty in Jersey: £467,000 forecast for 2026 as it takes effect in the second half of the year
Jersey is proposing a vaping duty. The Treasury Minister said the duty is forecast to raise £467,000 in 2026 because it will take effect in the second half of the year, and £955,000 per year from 2027 to 2029. Implementation is estimated to cost around £400,000 over four years, with an initial cost of £145,000 in 2026. The policy is described as aiming to reduce nicotine consumption and improve public health, while avoiding a shift to smoking.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Japan Announces McLaren Collaboration “glo Hilo Plus” Limited-Edition Set, Priced at About USD 200
BAT Japan Announces McLaren Collaboration “glo Hilo Plus” Limited-Edition Set, Priced at About USD 200
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) announced a collaboration with McLaren Racing to launch the “glo Hilo Plus・McLaren Racing Inspired Limited-Edition Set.” Sales begin on March 3 via the glo Store Ginza and the official glo online store. Based on the “glo Hilo Plus,” the set includes a limited-edition device and dedicated accessories, priced at JPY 30,000 (about USD 200).
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts|Sesh Advances Nicotine Pouch PMTA to Filing Stage, Experts Highlight Regulatory Threshold and Market Window
2Firsts|Sesh Advances Nicotine Pouch PMTA to Filing Stage, Experts Highlight Regulatory Threshold and Market Window
Sesh said its Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) for 64 nicotine pouch SKUs has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advanced to the Filing stage, entering substantive scientific review. Industry experts say the development signals that the application has crossed a key technical and regulatory threshold, while also highlighting growing divergence in regulatory capability and market positioning within the nicotine pouch category.
Special Report
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | Belarus Rejects Vape Ban, Opts for Tighter Market Controls
Special Report | Belarus Rejects Vape Ban, Opts for Tighter Market Controls
After weeks of debate over a potential blanket prohibition, Belarus has decided against banning electronic cigarettes, choosing instead to tighten control over wholesale, imports and licensing. President Alexander Lukashenko warned that an outright ban could drive the market underground and undermine state revenues, as officials move to curb widespread illicit trade while keeping retail sales largely intact.
Mar.04
Special Report | PLONQ Expands in China With New Shenzhen Hub to Accelerate R&D and Partnerships
Special Report | PLONQ Expands in China With New Shenzhen Hub to Accelerate R&D and Partnerships
On March 27, 2026, PLONQ officially opened its upgraded Shenzhen office, reinforcing its long-term commitment to China and marking a new phase of growth. As a leading vape brand in Russia, PLONQ is expanding into new product categories while strengthening R&D, engineering collaboration, and partnerships with Chinese companies. The Shenzhen office will accelerate product development, enhance cooperation with technology and manufacturing partners, and support future growth initiatives.
Apr.01