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

Aug.14

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.

References:

[1] KT&G, 궐련형 전자담배 스틱 '레임' 첫 출시

Also Read:

[1] KT&G Q2 earnings: net profit falls 54% to $103 million, NGP revenue down 0.8% to $141 million

[2] ITM Secures Order for KT&G’s New Heated Tobacco Product Lil Hybrid 4.0, Set to Launch in 2026

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