KT&G to introduce Korea’s first low-ignition cigarette

Tobacco maker KT&G announced Monday that it will launch the country’s first low-ignition propensity cigarette, or LIPs.

The LIPs will more likely naturally self-extinguish when left lit and unattended, said KT&G, the country’s largest cigarette maker by local market share.

The company independently developed a “blue band,” a coat of special chemicals on the paper wrap, and will apply it to three of its brands in The One series starting July 23, gradually expanding to the rest of the products.

The tobacco maker said it has with five patent applications submitted and pending for the advanced-technology blue band.

“We tried to be forerunners in adopting LIPs for social contributions, while it is not a requirement here yet,” the tobacco maker said in a statement.

(joowonc@heraldcorp.com)