More than 200 billion sticks of the slim cigarette Esse have been sold overseas since 2001, said KT&G, Korea’s leading cigarette maker which produces the brand. 

According to KT&G on Wednesday, the number of slim cigarettes sold outside Korea from 2001 to July this year was around 220 billion. Sales of Esse currently account for more than one-third of slim cigarettes sold worldwide.

The popularity of Esse stems from its high quality, low-tar, super slim design that met the demand of overseas consumers, the company’s officials said, adding that the Korean wave also helped its sales.

The company began exporting its slim cigarettes to the Middle East and Russia in 2001 and now exports them to some 50 counties, an official said.

By Kim Bo-gyung (lisakim425@heraldcorp.com)