- As of 28 June 2026, the cheapest verified cigarette carton listing was ESSE Change at $170 per carton (200 cigarettes, $0.85/stick).
- Marlboro Red and Benson and Hedges Special Filter followed at $180 per carton ($0.90/stick).
- Manchester cartons were listed from $195 to $230 across nine variants.
- All listed carton prices are below the excise cost of ~$280.65 per carton: the manufacturer and retailer absorb the gap.
- Prices are site-specific and subject to change. Treat product pages as the final reference.
Quick Answer: The cheapest verified cigarette carton listing on 28 June 2026 was ESSE Change at $170 per carton, followed by Marlboro Red and Benson and Hedges Special Filter both at $180. Manchester cartons ranged from $195 to $230. Per-stick costs range from $0.85 (ESSE) to $1.13 (Marlboro Black Menthol). All prices are listed carton prices for 200 cigarettes and should be verified on live product pages before purchase.
What is the cheapest cigarette brand in Australia in 2026?
Based on verified product listings checked on 28 June 2026, ESSE Change was the lowest-priced cigarette carton at $170. This works out to $17.00 per 20-pack equivalent and $0.85 per stick before any checkout changes. ESSE is a Korean cigarette brand manufactured by KT&G, positioned in the supervalue-to-value segment of the Australian market.
Marlboro Red and Benson and Hedges Special Filter were both listed at $180 per carton ($0.90/stick), tied for second-cheapest. These mainstream brands are priced only $10 above the cheapest listing despite carrying stronger brand equity and wider recognition.
How do the cheapest cigarette brands compare?
| Brand / Variant | Carton Price | Per-Pack Eq. | Per-Stick | Segment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESSE Change | $170 | $17.00 | $0.85 | Supervalue |
| Marlboro Red | $180 | $18.00 | $0.90 | Mainstream |
| Benson and Hedges Special Filter | $180 | $18.00 | $0.90 | Mainstream |
| Marlboro Gold Original | $185 | $18.50 | $0.93 | Mainstream |
| Manchester Flow Filter Blue | $195 | $19.50 | $0.98 | Supervalue |
| Manchester Green Crush | $195 | $19.50 | $0.98 | Supervalue |
| Manchester (other variants) | $220-$230 | $22.00-$23.00 | $1.10-$1.15 | Value |
| Marlboro Black Menthol | $225 | $22.50 | $1.13 | Mainstream+ |
Prices from live product listings, verified 28 June 2026. All cartons = 200 cigarettes. Per-pack and per-stick calculated from listed carton price.
Marlboro Red/B&H $180
Manchester $195-$230
Marlboro Black $225
How do supervalue and mainstream brand prices differ?
The price gap between supervalue and mainstream cigarette brands in the current listings is relatively narrow. ESSE Change (supervalue) at $170 is only $10-$15 below Marlboro Red and B&H (mainstream) at $180. At the per-stick level, the difference between $0.85 and $0.90 is marginal for a pack-a-day smoker: approximately $37 per year based on listed prices. The larger price spread sits between standard variants and specialised variants such as menthol or capsule cigarettes, where Marlboro Black Menthol at $225 commands a $55 premium over the cheapest listing.
According to Tobacco in Australia, Chapter 13.3, the average supervalue 20-pack was $39.69 as of September 2025, while the average mainstream 20-pack was $54.99. The listed carton prices in this guide show a much narrower spread, which is consistent with the fact that carton pricing compresses retail margins across all segments. Single-pack prices carry a wider segment spread than carton prices because the retailer margin per pack is higher on individual sales.
Why are all carton prices below the excise cost?
A striking feature of the current listings is that every carton price is below the excise cost. The excise on 200 cigarettes was approximately $280.65 as of March 2025 (Tobacco in Australia, Chapter 13.6). Yet the most expensive listed carton is Marlboro Black Menthol at $225. This means the excise alone exceeds the retail price on every listed carton.
This pricing dynamic occurs because the manufacturer and retailer absorb the gap between excise and the retail price. For a $170 ESSE Change carton, the excise of $280.65 is $110.65 more than the listed price. The manufacturer and retailer effectively subsidise the sale, accepting a loss on each carton in exchange for maintaining market presence and customer relationships. This is not unusual in the Australian cigarette market, where excise-driven pricing pressure has pushed retail margins to minimal or negative levels on value-segment products.
What should you know about the cheapest cigarette brands?
Price does not make a cigarette safer. Cigarettes are harmful and addictive at any price point. The cheapest listed brands are price comparisons only, not health or safety recommendations. ESSE Change at $170 per carton is a supervalue Korean brand; Marlboro Red and B&H at $180 are mainstream brands from major international manufacturers. The lower price of value-segment and supervalue brands reflects differences in manufacturing costs, brand positioning, import source, and retailer margin strategy. Korean brand ESSE Change at $170 competes in the supervalue segment, while Manchester cartons at $195-$230 occupy the value segment. Marlboro Red and B&H at $180 are mainstream brands that happen to be priced competitively against the value segment in the current listings.
From July 2025, all cigarette packs in Australia are standardised to 20 cigarettes. This means every legally sold carton contains exactly 200 cigarettes (10 packs of 20), making per-stick cost comparisons straightforward across brands. The key comparison is no longer pack size but brand segment and listed carton price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the absolute cheapest cigarette in Australia?
Based on verified listings on 28 June 2026, ESSE Change at $170 per carton ($0.85 per stick) was the cheapest cigarette carton. Marlboro Red and Benson and Hedges Special Filter followed at $180 per carton ($0.90 per stick). Live product pages are the final reference as stock and pricing change.
Are cheap cigarettes lower quality?
Price differences in the Australian cigarette market primarily reflect brand positioning and manufacturer margin, not necessarily product quality. The excise is identical across all brands at $280.65 per carton. The manufacturer and retailer margins vary: supervalue brands compress these margins to achieve a lower shelf price, while premium brands maintain higher margins reflecting brand equity. All legally sold cigarettes in Australia meet the same regulatory standards.
Does a lower cigarette price mean lower tax?
No. The excise is identical for every 20-pack sold in Australia: $28.06 as of March 2025. GST is also proportional to the retail price. The lower listed price of supervalue brands comes entirely from reduced manufacturer and retailer margins. The tax burden, expressed as a percentage of the final price, is actually higher on cheaper brands: 73.9% on a budget pack versus 51.0% on a premium pack (TIA, Chapter 13.6).
How much can you save buying the cheapest vs most expensive brand?
The price spread between the cheapest (ESSE Change at $170) and the most expensive listed carton (Marlboro Black Menthol at $225) is $55 per carton, or $0.23 per stick. For a pack-a-day smoker at the carton level, choosing ESSE over Marlboro Black Menthol would save approximately $660 per year based on listed prices. However, prices change, and the live product page should be checked before purchase.
Are all cigarette brands affected by the same excise?
Yes. Every factory-made cigarette sold in Australia carries the same per-stick excise regardless of brand, variant or price segment. The excise is $28.06 per 20-pack (March 2025 rate), which is the same for ESSE, Marlboro, Benson and Hedges, Manchester and every other brand. The price differences between brands come from the manufacturer and retailer components of the final price.
Conclusion
The cheapest verified cigarette carton listing on 28 June 2026 was ESSE Change at $170, followed by Marlboro Red and Benson and Hedges Special Filter at $180 each. All listed carton prices sit below the excise cost of ~$280.65, reflecting the compressed margins that characterise the Australian cigarette market. Adult smokers comparing cigarette prices should focus on the listed carton price and the resulting per-stick cost and per-stick cost, verify live product pages before ordering, and remember that price comparisons are informational only.
For detailed brand comparisons, see our Marlboro prices guide, Benson and Hedges price guide, and Manchester cigarettes price guide.
Related Guides
Adult smokers comparing cigarette brands across different retailers should also note that listed carton prices may include or exclude shipping costs depending on the retailer’s checkout process. The total payable amount including any delivery fees is the most accurate price comparison point.
Listed cigarette prices can also vary between retailers for the same brand and variant, so comparing prices across multiple product pages is recommended for adult smokers seeking the best available price at the time of purchase.
Sources
- SmokerAU product listings: ESSE Change, Marlboro Red, Marlboro Gold Original, Marlboro Black Menthol, Benson and Hedges Special Filter, Manchester range. Prices verified 28 June 2026.
- Tobacco in Australia, Chapter 13.3 “How much do tobacco products cost in Australia?”, Bayly M and Scollo MM, Cancer Council Victoria, December 2025. https://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-13-taxation/13-3-how-much-do-tobacco-products-cost-in-australia
- Tobacco in Australia, Chapter 13.6 “What tobacco taxes apply in Australia?”, Bayly M and Scollo MM, Cancer Council Victoria, March 2026. https://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-13-taxation/13-6-what-tobacco-taxes-apply-in-australia
Article by davidhe, Product Specialist at SmokerAU. Published June 2026. Last reviewed 28 June 2026.
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation. Cigarettes are harmful and addictive. For adults 18+ only.