KT&G to Launch New “RAIM” Heated Tobacco Pod Brand on October 27

Aug.14.2025
KT&G to Launch New “RAIM” Heated Tobacco Pod Brand on October 27
South Korean tobacco company KT&G has announced it will launch a new heated tobacco (heat-not-burn, HNB) pod brand, “RAIM” (레임), on October 27. Designed exclusively for use with the company’s “LIL AIBLE” devices, the new pods are marketed as effectively reducing the intensity of tobacco flavor. With the addition of RAIM, the total number of LIL AIBLE-exclusive pod varieties will increase to 19. KT&G stated that thanks to the strong sales of LIL AIBLE 2.0, its domestic HNB market share rose to 45

Key Points:

 

New product: KT&G is introducing the “RAIM” HNB pod in four varieties — RAIM ICE MINT, RAIM ICE, RAIM REGULAR, and RAIM VELVET — scheduled for release on October 27. The product is designed for LIL AIBLE devices and emphasizes reduced tobacco odor.

 

Product lineup: This is KT&G’s first brand update for LIL AIBLE in about a year. In July 2024, the company discontinued its “AIM” brand for LIL AIBLE pods and launched three new types — Classic (REAL), Granules (GRANULA), and Liquid (VAPOR STICK) — with redesigned names and packaging. Since then, the product line has grown to 15 types, with RAIM bringing the total to 19.

 

Market performance: Since the release of LIL AIBLE 2.0, monthly average pod sales have grown by 41% over the past year. In the first half of the year, KT&G achieved a 45.8% share of the South Korean HNB market.


According to Nate on August 13, KT&G explained that the new RAIM pods, available in four variants — RAIM ICE MINT, RAIM ICE, RAIM REGULAR, and RAIM VELVET — are exclusively compatible with LIL AIBLE HNB devices. Their key feature is an effective reduction in tobacco odor.

 

Before this release, the last brand update for LIL AIBLE was one year ago. In July 2024, KT&G discontinued the “AIM” brand of LIL AIBLE pods and introduced three new product types — Classic (REAL), Granules (GRANULA), and Liquid (VAPOR STICK) — along with a redesign of product names and packaging.

 

Since then, KT&G has continued expanding the lineup. With RAIM, the LIL AIBLE pod range now totals 19 varieties. The company emphasized that the LIL AIBLE series remains central to its HNB market strategy, with LIL AIBLE 2.0 driving a 41% year-on-year increase in monthly average sales, and boosting the company’s domestic HNB market share to 45.8% in the first half of the 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

U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal to collect foreign export declarations and other overseas customs documents could expose discrepancies in the value, classification and description of China-made vape shipments entering the United States. A veteran Chinese logistics professional told 2Firsts that the measure, if implemented, could undermine the all-inclusive shipping model used by some unauthorized vape exporters and push parts of the trade toward costlier underground channels. The risk extends beyond higher duties: accurately declared products may also be more readily identified as unauthorized e-cigarettes subject to FDA enforcement.
Special Report
Sep.07
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
2Firsts reviewed the original federal court complaint filed by Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY on Sept. 2 challenging FDA’s 2021 PMTA rule. The lawsuit questions whether FDA’s review process complies with the Tobacco Control Act’s 180-day timeline, even as the agency moves to accelerate PMTA reviews and issues more marketing orders. Drawing on the complaint, FDA records, government audits and recent court rulings, 2Firsts examines the legal arguments, supporting evidence and potential implications for the U.S. tobacco review system.
Regulations
Sep.03
Inside Nicotine-Pouch M&A Through Imperial's Yoik Deal: Latham, KPMG, PwC, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley Form the Adviser Lineup
Inside Nicotine-Pouch M&A Through Imperial's Yoik Deal: Latham, KPMG, PwC, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley Form the Adviser Lineup
Imperial Brands' acquisition of Swedish Helwit owner Yoik Group AB has highlighted the professional-services firms supporting cross-border oral nicotine M&A. Latham & Watkins and KPMG advised Imperial, while PwC and TM & Partners advised Yoik. KPMG also appeared on Imperial's acquisition of Black Buffalo earlier in 2026, while PwC played an extensive role in KT&G's acquisition of Swedish nicotine-pouch company Another Snus Factory. Imperial's public disclosures put the global modern oral nicotine delivery market at approximately £8.8 billion in retail sales and 23.5 billion pouches in 2024
Sep.20
China Tobacco Yunnan files patent for cellulose-free nicotine pouch scaffold to replace microcrystalline cellulose
China Tobacco Yunnan files patent for cellulose-free nicotine pouch scaffold to replace microcrystalline cellulose
China Tobacco Yunnan Industrial Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for a cellulose-free scaffold material for nicotine pouches, proposing a combination of bioceramic material, polydextrose and sugar alcohols to replace conventional microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose derivatives. The filing aims to address issues including powdery mouthfeel, residue and limited release control, while also reducing reliance on existing cellulose-based patent portfolios. In patent examples, one fast-release formulation reached a nicotine release rate of 50% at 10 minutes and more than 90% at 20 minutes.
Sep.02
JAMA Study: U.S. Vape Directories Fail to Sustainably Curb Unlisted Sales as Product Shifts May Redistribute Brand Share 2Firsts Recommended
JAMA Study: U.S. Vape Directories Fail to Sustainably Curb Unlisted Sales as Product Shifts May Redistribute Brand Share 2Firsts Recommended
A study by CDC Foundation researchers found no sustained decline in e-cigarette sales across Alabama, Oklahoma and Louisiana, the first three U.S. states to implement e-cigarette directory laws. Louisiana initially saw a significant sales decline, followed by a rebound and a persistent reduction in product availability. Sales also shifted from nontobacco-flavored disposables toward prefilled cartridges, with Vuse Alto driving much of the increase in menthol cartridges. By April 2025, unlisted products still accounted for more than half of e-cigarette nicotine sales in all three states.
Sep.18
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) has expanded the ZYN by IQOS oral tobacco pouch portfolio in Japan with four new ZYN Strong products, adding a third intensity level alongside the existing Low and Medium ranges. The Strong series first entered selected duty-free channels in Japan on July 1, 2026, before expanding to IQOS stores, the ZYN Online Store and selected tobacco retailers from August 18. The expansion increases the Japanese ZYN by IQOS lineup from eight to 12 products.
Aug.20