Description:
This „PINE Super Slims Low Tar“ cigarette pack, manufactured according to KT&G (Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation) license, but intended for the Baltic market - as evidenced by Latvian excise stamp with the LV emblem on top. This edition belongs to the light, mild-tasting "Low Tar" line, which was aimed at a female audience and became popular in Eastern Europe in the early 2000s.
The package features an elegant, minimalist design: light cream background, vertical inscription SUPER SICK sideways and subtle pink flower motif in the center. The PINE logo is presented in blue-violet, with a coat of arms visible at the top with the inscription “"Manufactured under authority of KT&G established 1899"“, which indicates Korean origin.
Warning phrases on the package in Latvian – „"Smēkēšana causes heart disease"“ and „"Tobacco seriously harms human health"“ – confirms that this permit was sold on the Latvian market before the 2014 EU standardization of warnings.
Value assessment:
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Collectible value: Medium-high. PINE Super Slims Low Tar with Latvian excise tax is rarer than the Russian or Polish versions. This edition is of interest to collectors who collect products from the Baltic tobacco market from the transitional period before the EU labeling reforms.
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Condition assessment: Excellent - the cellophane is intact, the colors are preserved, the excise stamp is clearly visible, and the inscriptions are not faded.
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Historical data and popularity: „PINE was one of the first Asian brands to successfully establish itself in Europe through KT&G's expansion. In the Baltic markets, this option appeared as a cheaper alternative to the Esse line.
