KT&G lil heat-not-burn range launches in Russia

Industry

Published: 18 Aug. 2020, 16:51

KT&G lil heat-not-burn range launches in Russia

KT&G's lil tobacco heating device launches in Russia on Monday. [KT&G]

KT&G launched its lil Solid tobacco heating device and accompanying Fiit tobacco sticks in Russia in partnership with Philip Morris International (PMI) on Monday.

The Russia launch is the first time KT&G has taken the lil products into a new market since signing a three-year supply deal with PMI in January. Based on the partnership, PMI has the right to sell KT&G products outside of Korea using its network and infrastructure.

“Interest in electronic cigarettes in Russia has been high recently, and the market is also big,” wrote KT&G in a statement Tuesday.

Lil Solid comes in three colors — dark navy, white, blue — with three tobacco-filled sticks: Fiit Regular, Fiit Viola and Fiit Crisp.

The products are promoted with the statement, “lil introduced by IQOS.”

IQOS is PMI’s heated tobacco range.

“The global electronic cigarette market is projected to expand with the partnership of KT&G and PMI,” said Baek Bok-in, KT&G President.

"The commercialization of KT&G’s products outside of Korea will complement our strong portfolio of smoke-free alternatives, providing adult smokers an even broader range of better alternatives,” said PMI CEO André Calantzopoulos.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]