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Tag: Korea

  • SKE Shows Continued Growth in Korea

    SKE Shows Continued Growth in Korea

    SKE Korea told The Manila Times that it is replicating the “strong trajectory” the company achieved as it continues to grow in the UK and Europe. The company said it remains focused on building a long-term ecosystem in South Korea that supports channel partners through consistent supply capabilities, high-performing products, and strong sell-through potential.

    SKE partnered with 7-Eleven Korea, and over the last six months has placed its products in more than 5,700 stores nationwide—about half of the chain’s outlets—demonstrating rising consumer demand and brand recognition. Beyond convenience stores, SKE has also strengthened its presence in specialty vape channels via collaborations with OG9 and online with Most Vape.

    The company said flagship products such as the SKE Crystal Bar TB1000 continue to resonate with Korean shoppers, while the SKE Cloud Zero introduces industry-first features like Vaporless Mode, a dual-mode system, and a patented Mobius Strip display, appealing to Korea’s trend-driven market.

  • BAT Launches Year-End Vape Promotion in Korea

    BAT Launches Year-End Vape Promotion in Korea

    Today (November 12), BAT Rothmans announced a promotion for its Glo Hyper series in South Korea, running both online and in-store through the end of the year. First-time buyers can purchase devices from the Glo Hyper Series, including the flagship Glo Hyper Pro, at special discounted prices. “The Hyper Pro features an EasyView screen and TasteSelect Dial for personalized heating control, while all neo sticks use StickSeal technology to prevent tobacco leaf residue.”

    A BAT Rothmans spokesperson said the year-end promotion aims to let more consumers experience the brand’s “innovative technology and differentiated experience at a reasonable price,” at the time of the year when colder weather drives people indoors. The company said surveys show odor reduction is a leading reason for smokers switching to vapes.  

    Government data shows e-cigarette sales in South Korea rose 8.3% year-on-year, capturing 18.4% of the total tobacco market in 2024—up from just 2.2% in 2017.

  • PM Korea’s IQOS ‘Seletti Edition’ Sells Out in First Week

    PM Korea’s IQOS ‘Seletti Edition’ Sells Out in First Week

    Philip Morris Korea announced that its limited edition IQOS ILUMA i × Seletti collection, launched in collaboration with Italian design brand Seletti, sold out nationwide within a week. Pre-sales began October 28 for IQOS Club Platinum and Gold members, with the official release on October 30 through IQOS.com and directly operated stores. The edition, featuring black and gold designs with Seletti’s signature patterns, quickly became a collector’s item, with the Prime model selling out on the first day of pre-sale.

    Philip Morris Korea highlighted that the strong response reflects consumer appreciation for the brand’s design sensibility and value, not just sales performance. The success follows earlier limited editions like Minera, Neon, and Steve Aoki, underscoring IQOS’ ongoing strategy of blending style with technology to enhance consumer experience.

  • South Korean Court Rules Partial Tax Exemption for Imported Nicotine

    South Korean Court Rules Partial Tax Exemption for Imported Nicotine

    A Seoul Administrative Court ruled that some imported nicotine liquids for e-cigarettes are not subject to tobacco-related taxes, distinguishing between nicotine derived from tobacco leaves and stems. The October 19 decision partially upheld a lawsuit filed by a local importer, referred to as “Company A,” challenging a 510 million won ($357,000) public health surcharge imposed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

    The importer brought nicotine liquids from Malaysia and China between August 2018 and June 2019, declaring the products tax-exempt on the grounds that Malaysian nicotine was extracted from tobacco stems, not leaves. Under South Korea’s Tobacco Business Act, products derived from leaves are taxed, while those from other plant parts are not. The court canceled 212 million won ($148,000) in taxes on Malaysian imports but upheld 298 million won ($209,000) on Chinese shipments, which evidence showed were derived from tobacco leaves.

    Judge Kang Jae-won highlighted that documentation from the Chinese supplier indicated extraction from “leaf veins,” justifying taxation, while Malaysian documentation lacked proof of leaf usage. The ruling highlights the regulatory complexity of South Korea’s growing e-cigarette market, where small botanical and chemical distinctions can determine tax liability for importers and manufacturers.

  • Korea: Male Smoking Prevalence Drops Drastically Since 2015

    Korea: Male Smoking Prevalence Drops Drastically Since 2015

    Cigarette smoking among young South Korean men has dropped sharply over the past decade, according to new data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). In 2024, 28.5% of men in their 30s and 22.6% of men aged 19 to 29 were cigarette smokers—declines of 19.5% and 16.1% respectively since 2015. Men in their 40s recorded the highest smoking rate at 36.9%, down from 45.8%.

    The study also found that about 40% of men in their 30s used some form of tobacco in 2024, down only 4.9% from 2019. For men in their 40s, total tobacco use increased slightly despite a small decline in cigarette smoking, reflecting the growing shift toward alternative products.

    Health officials attribute part of the trend to changing perceptions about harm. A September 2025 survey of students found that 32.2% believed e-cigarettes were less harmful—or not harmful at all—compared to cigarettes. While authorities welcome the decline in cigarette use, they warn that misconceptions about alternative products may slow broader tobacco harm-reduction progress.

  • BAT Korea Replacing Butts with Flowers

    BAT Korea Replacing Butts with Flowers

    BAT Rothmans Korea expanded its flower-planting campaign to eight districts across Seoul, aiming to curb cigarette litter and promote cleaner public spaces, the company announced. Carried out in partnership with the Seoul Chapter of the Korean National Council for Conservation of Nature, the campaign involves 700 volunteers from the company, civic groups, and neighborhoods.

    Since launching in 2023, the project has transformed 50 alleyways—often hotspots for discarded cigarette butts—into decorated streets lined with 3,000 trees and flowers from 17 species. Districts including Jung, Gangnam, Gangdong, and Jongno have been part of the initiative, which has drawn support from local residents who help maintain the plants.

    BAT Rothmans says the initiative improves commercial areas while promoting sustainable environmental practices.

  • BAT Rothmans Launches Improved E-Cigarette Sticks in Korea

    BAT Rothmans Launches Improved E-Cigarette Sticks in Korea

    BAT Rothmans, South Korea’s third-largest tobacco company, today (September 2) unveiled new tobacco sticks for its Glo Hyper e-cigarette devices, featuring “StickSeal” technology to prevent tobacco residue from falling inside the device. The company said all 10 Neo stick types now include the innovation, and that packaging has been updated to promote cleanliness and convenience for users.

    BAT Rothmans said it aims to expand its e-cigarette market share with the upgrade. The company’s Glo Hyper Pro devices previously won the European Product Design Award 2024 and the iF Design Award for design and usability. BAT Group distributes to 175 countries and targets 50 million global e-cigarette users by 2030 as part of its carbon-neutral strategy.

  • Study: Korean Tobacco Tax Hikes Lose Impact Within Four Months

    Study: Korean Tobacco Tax Hikes Lose Impact Within Four Months

    Cigarette tax hikes in South Korea only curbed smoking briefly, with sales rebounding to normal levels within four months, a new study found. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs reported yesterday (August 18) that demand for cigarettes is “highly inelastic,” with a 10% price rise cutting consumption by just 4.2–4.4%. Researchers said non-price measures like warning labels or e-cigarettes had little measurable impact.

    “Sudden hikes result in hoarding and brief behavioral change, but smokers adapt,” the report said. “Incremental increases aligned with inflation are more likely to gradually shift consumption patterns and reinforce anti-smoking behavior.”

  • South Korea Expands Use of Mobile ID for Tobacco Purchases

    South Korea Expands Use of Mobile ID for Tobacco Purchases

    In response to a growing number of young adults who carry only smartphones, the South Korean government is promoting the use of its certified mobile identification card for verifying age when purchasing alcohol and tobacco. The mobile ID holds the same legal status as a physical card, and officials say it could boost small business sales by making age verification easier and more accessible.

    The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and HiteJinro announced a campaign in Seoul’s Seocho district to raise awareness among retailers. The initiative includes 1.5 million bottles of Soju labeled with mobile ID promotion and guides for store owners on verifying ID authenticity using anti-counterfeiting features like animated backgrounds and tilt-responsive effects.

    Starting late July, mobile ID access will expand beyond Samsung Wallet to include platforms like KB Star Banking, Naver, NH AllOne Bank, Toss, and KakaoBank.

  • BAT Debuts New Cigarette in Korea

    BAT Debuts New Cigarette in Korea

    BAT Rothmans, the South Korean subsidiary of British American Tobacco, announced today (May 7) the global launch of a new cigarette brand, Global Editions by Dunhill, with Korea serving as the first market. The release marks the debut of Dunhill’s first-ever sub-brand.

    Inspired by three of the world’s most iconic cities—New York, Paris, and London—the Global Editions aim to capture the spirit of travel and the allure of brief escapes from everyday life. The company said the brand is designed specifically with Korean consumers in mind, reflecting their tastes in both flavor and design.

    The new line includes two King Size products—the New York Edition and the Paris Edition—each featuring a dual capsule system and delivering distinctive flavor combinations. The London Edition, a Fine Cut Super Slim cigarette, offers a crisp, single-capsule experience. Tar and nicotine levels range from 3.0mg to 0.20mg in the King Size variants to 1.5mg to 0.10mg in the Super Slim.

     “Global Editions by Dunhill captures special moments of travel and offers consumers a distinctive sensory experience,” said a BAT Rothmans representative. “As we take this first step, we are committed to establishing a strong presence in the combustible cigarette market and building a new global brand story beyond Korea.”

    The three editions will be available nationwide at convenience stores and tobacco retailers, priced at 4,500 won ($3.22).