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

Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Major Tax Hikes on Cigarettes, Vapes and Other Nicotine Products
Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Major Tax Hikes on Cigarettes, Vapes and Other Nicotine Products
Nebraska lawmakers are considering two tax bills targeting nicotine products. LB1124 would raise the cigarette tax from $0.64 to $1.64 per pack, while LB1238 would shift cigarettes to a 30% tax on the retailer’s purchase price and increase taxes on alternative nicotine and other tobacco products to 30%. The commentary argues the hikes could raise consumer costs, pressure small retailers, and increase cross-border shopping and illicit market activity.
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Vaporesso lists Vibe SE 2 on official site, offering leather/plated versions and a 1,400mAh battery
Product | Vaporesso lists Vibe SE 2 on official site, offering leather/plated versions and a 1,400mAh battery
Vaporesso has recently listed the Vibe SE 2, a new device in its Vibe series, on the brand’s official website. The product is positioned as an entry-level MTL device and features a 1,400mAh built-in battery with Type-C 1A charging. It is available in two finishes—Leather and Plated—while listings on online retail channels show prices of around $17.99 and £22.99.
Jan.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Japan to launch two new VELO nicotine pouch flavours in February
BAT Japan to launch two new VELO nicotine pouch flavours in February
BAT Japan will roll out two new VELO nicotine pouch variants from Feb. 2, 2026: Smooth Peppermint Medium and Breezy Mango Intense. The products will be sold via the official glo & VELO online store, the glo Store Ginza and nationwide tobacco retail channels in Japan.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia moves ahead with vape sales ban plan; PMI urges Japan-style differentiated excise taxes
Malaysia moves ahead with vape sales ban plan; PMI urges Japan-style differentiated excise taxes
Malaysia plans to implement a ban or restrictions on e-cigarettes and vaping products as early as mid-2026 and no later than year-end. The head of Philip Morris Malaysia and Singapore said the government should look to Japan’s approach of regulating and taxing different tobacco and nicotine products differently, warning that an outright ban could push demand into illicit channels.
Feb.02
KT&G’s Heated Tobacco Brand “lil” Named to Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for Eighth Consecutive Year
KT&G’s Heated Tobacco Brand “lil” Named to Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for Eighth Consecutive Year
KT&G said its heated tobacco brand “lil” was selected as an outstanding brand in the heated tobacco category of the “2026 Korea Brand Hall of Fame,” marking its eighth straight year on the list. The awards are organized by the Industrial Policy Research Institute (IPS) and determined through a composite evaluation of customer satisfaction, brand value and market performance.
Jan.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Postal Service Launches Heated Tobacco Device Recycling Program Through Nationwide Post Offices and Mailboxes
South Korea Postal Service Launches Heated Tobacco Device Recycling Program Through Nationwide Post Offices and Mailboxes
Korean postal system launches nationwide heated tobacco device recycling through post offices and mailboxes, aiming to increase recycling rates.
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai