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

Special Report|Disposable Heated Tobacco? A China Tobacco Patent Reimagines the Heated-Tobacco Stick as a Self-Contained Product
Special Report|Disposable Heated Tobacco? A China Tobacco Patent Reimagines the Heated-Tobacco Stick as a Self-Contained Product
A newly published China Tobacco patent proposes a holder-free heat-not-burn stick that integrates the filter, tobacco substrate, heating element, controller and power source into one cigarette-shaped product. It stands out not just for eliminating the external heating device, but for explicitly highlighting two less common goals in heated tobacco: restoring cigarette-like social sharing and enabling post-use recovery through a recoverable component group.
Innovation
Mar.18
Michigan Proposes 57% Vape Tax in $800M Revenue Plan
Michigan Proposes 57% Vape Tax in $800M Revenue Plan
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s FY2027 executive budget proposes a new 57% wholesale tax on vaping products and oral nicotine items as part of a broader $800 million revenue package aimed at stabilizing Medicaid funding.
Regulations
Feb.23
Kuwait Bans Sale of Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Through Delivery Platforms
Kuwait Bans Sale of Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Through Delivery Platforms
Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Osama Boodai has issued a decision banning the sale of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, all types of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and related tools, devices and accessories through delivery platforms or similar digital channels.
Mar.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Labeled “Built in the USA” Up to 60,000 Puffs: DOJO PUREX 60K Launches on U.S. Sales Channels
Product | Labeled “Built in the USA” Up to 60,000 Puffs: DOJO PUREX 60K Launches on U.S. Sales Channels
DOJO unveiled the PUREX 60K e-cigarette at TPE 2026 held in Las Vegas, United States. The product is labeled “Built in the USA,” supports up to 60,000 puffs, and features 16ml e-liquid capacity, a 1000mAh battery, and ECO and SMART output modes. It has gone live on DOJO’s official website and select U.S. online sales channels at a price of $18.99.
Apr.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bonnie Herzog:U.S. nicotine market seen at about $67B in revenue by 2035 as smoke-free expands
Bonnie Herzog:U.S. nicotine market seen at about $67B in revenue by 2035 as smoke-free expands
Goldman Sachs Managing Director Bonnie Herzog said the U.S. nicotine market is attractive and growing, with total revenue projected to reach about $67 billion by 2035. She expects cigarettes to account for a smaller share of revenue (47%) as smoke-free revenue expands and becomes a key driver of industry profit growth. Herzog said smoke-free products represent about 48% of U.S. nicotine volumes today and could rise to roughly 75% by 2035.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria Announces Nationwide Retail Expansion of on! PLUS Nicotine Pouches
Altria Announces Nationwide Retail Expansion of on! PLUS Nicotine Pouches
Altria Group, Inc. announced the nationwide retail expansion of on! PLUS nicotine pouches, a product manufactured by Helix Innovations LLC, an Altria operating company. The product had already been available through e-commerce and participating retailers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas, began wholesale deliveries on March 16, 2026, and is expected to reach participating retailers nationwide starting March 23, 2026.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai