Esse Cigarettes Guide: Menthol & Superslim Options
Esse cigarettes are widely associated with slim and superslim cigarette formats, particularly among smokers looking for a narrower cigarette design and a more delicate-looking alternative to conventional cigarette formats.
For Australian smokers researching Esse, however, there is an important distinction between the international Esse range, historical menthol and superslim products, and the tobacco products that can currently be legally sold in Australia.
At the same time, Australia's tobacco regulations changed significantly from 1 July 2025. Certain flavours, including menthol, were banned, while accessories such as crush balls and flavour beads were also prohibited. Cigarette dimensions and filter designs were standardised as well.
Many people still search for Esse menthol cigarettes, Esse superslim cigarettes and Esse Change, but older international product descriptions may no longer accurately represent the Australian market.
This guide explains the Esse brand, its superslim reputation, the history of menthol and flavoured Esse products, Esse Change, and what Australian adult smokers should know when researching the brand today.
Important: Cigarettes contain nicotine and are addictive, and smoking causes serious health problems. This article is informational content for adults who already smoke and are researching cigarette brands and formats. It is not a recommendation to start smoking.
1.0 What Are Esse Cigarettes?
Esse is a cigarette brand strongly associated with slim and superslim cigarette formats.
Compared with conventional cigarettes, slim and superslim cigarettes have historically been designed with a narrower appearance and diameter.
Esse became particularly well known internationally for its elegant, narrow cigarette format and range of variants.
The brand is often associated with search terms such as:
Esse cigarettes Australia
Esse cigarettes
Esse Change
Esse superslim cigarettes
Esse slim cigarettes
Esse menthol cigarettes
Esse capsule cigarettes
Esse Purple
Esse Blue
Korean cigarettes
slim cigarettes Australia
For adult smokers researching cigarette formats, Esse is therefore an important brand to understand alongside other slim and superslim products.
AUS Cig Shop currently lists Esse Change on its homepage among its cigarette products, alongside Dunhill Red, Benson & Hedges Gold, Mevius Option Purple, Mac Super Slim and Oscar Super Slim.
2.0 Why Is Esse Known for Superslim Cigarettes?
The most recognisable characteristic of Esse is its association with the slim cigarette format.
Historically, Esse products were designed to be noticeably narrower than many conventional cigarettes.
This gave the brand a distinctive appearance and helped separate it from traditional cigarette brands.
A superslim cigarette is primarily a description of physical design.
It does not automatically mean:
Lower health risk
Lower nicotine exposure
Safer smoking
Less addiction
Australia's tobacco reforms specifically standardised cigarette dimensions and stated that each cigarette stick must have consistent length and width. The government also banned unique filter designs.
Therefore, older descriptions of Esse as an especially narrow or highly distinctive superslim cigarette may not accurately describe the specifications of products legally sold in Australia today.
3.0 Esse Cigarettes in Australia
The current AUS Cig Shop website lists Esse Change. The listed carton configuration is: 10 packets × 20 cigarettes. That gives: 200 cigarettes per carton
The listed price can change, so readers should check the current product listing for the latest information.
You can also browse the wider Cigarette Collection to compare Esse with other cigarette brands and formats currently displayed by AUS Cig Shop.
For Australian smokers researching Esse, it is important to distinguish between:
Esse products found in international market and Esse products currently listed by an Australian retailer.
This distinction becomes especially important when researching menthol, capsule or superslim variants.
4.0 What Is Esse Change?
The word “Change” is particularly interesting because the Esse brand has historically been associated with products that provide different flavour or smoking experiences.
However, product names can have different meanings across markets and different periods.
Therefore, Australian readers should not assume that the current Esse Change listing is identical to every historical Esse Change product sold internationally.
The best approach is to check the exact current product description, pack format and applicable Australian requirements.
4.1 Esse Change Flavour Profile
Esse products are often associated with a lighter, smoother and more delicate smoking profile than traditional full-format cigarettes.
Esse Change is part of this broader product identity.
However, flavour terminology requires some care when discussing Esse in the Australian market.
Australia's tobacco reforms prohibit certain flavours, including menthol, as well as accessories such as crush balls and flavour beads that can change the flavour or smell of tobacco products.
Therefore, an older international description of Esse Change may mention characteristics that are no longer permitted in Australian tobacco products.
5.0 Esse Menthol Cigarettes
Menthol is one of the most common search terms associated with Esse.
Historically, Esse and other slim cigarette brands have been associated with cooling and menthol-style products in international markets.
Menthol creates a cooling sensation and can make smoke feel less harsh.
However, Australia introduced a nationwide ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes and menthol accessories from 1 July 2025.
The Australian Government explains that menthol can mask the harshness of tobacco smoke, make smoking easier to inhale and contribute to nicotine dependence.
Therefore, when someone searches:
Esse menthol cigarettes Australia
the answer in 2026 needs to include the current legal context.
An older Esse menthol product may still appear in international search results, but that does not mean it is a legally permitted Australian tobacco product.
6.0 Why Was Menthol Popular in Esse Cigarettes?
Menthol was historically popular because it created a cooling sensation.
For slim cigarette brands such as Esse, the combination of:
Slim format + cooling sensation
created a distinctive product identity.
Some adult smokers preferred the perceived freshness of menthol compared with conventional tobacco.
However, the Australian Government's tobacco reforms specifically target these types of flavour characteristics because they can reduce the perceived harshness of smoke and increase the appeal of tobacco products.
This is why the Australian market should not be described using outdated international lists of “best Esse menthol cigarettes.”
7.0 Esse Superslim Cigarettes
Esse is particularly relevant to searches around superslim cigarettes.
Historically, Esse products were known for their narrow cigarette design, which differentiated them from conventional cigarette formats.
For adult smokers researching the format, the main perceived differences between superslim and regular cigarettes include:
Feature Superslim Regular
Appearance Narrower Conventional
Diameter Historically narrower Conventional
Physical feel More delicate Familiar
Product positioning Modern / slim Traditional
Health risk Harmful Harmful
The key point is that superslim does not mean safer.
Australia's government explicitly states that the 2025 changes do not reduce the health risks of smoking and that no tobacco product or level of smoking is safe.
8.0 Esse vs Regular Cigarettes
If you are comparing Esse with a traditional cigarette, the physical format is one of the most obvious differences.
For example, Dunhill Red is a conventional cigarette product currently displayed by AUS Cig Shop, while Esse is historically associated with slimmer formats.
This creates a useful comparison:
Esse → slim / superslim positioning
Dunhill Red → conventional cigarette positioning
However, cigarette format should not be confused with tobacco strength or health risk.
For a detailed explanation, readers can also explore Slim vs Regular Cigarettes: Which Is Better in Australia?
8.1 Esse vs Mac Super Slim
Mac Super Slim is another product that can be used when comparing slim cigarette formats.
The comparison is useful because both Esse and Mac are strongly associated with slim-format cigarette searches.
However, the products should not be treated as identical.
Feature Esse Mac Super Slim
Brand identity Korean / international slim brand International slim brand
Format association Slim / superslim Super slim
Product range Multiple international variants Multiple variants
Cooling variants Historically available in some markets Historical/international variants
Australian regulation Current rules apply Current rules apply
For more information about Mac Super Slim and other narrow cigarette products, readers can explore the Mac vs Oscar Super Slim Australia Comparison.
8.2 Esse vs Oscar Super Slim
Oscar Super Slim is another relevant comparison.
Oscar and Esse are both associated with slim-format cigarette searches, although their brand positioning and individual product ranges differ.
For adult smokers researching cigarette formats, the key comparison points include:
Cigarette dimensions
Filter
Tobacco profile
Product variant
Price
Current availability
You can also browse the Oscar Cigarettes Collection for the current Oscar range.
8.3 Esse vs Mevius
Mevius is another international brand frequently compared with Esse.
The two brands have different identities.
Esse is strongly associated with slim cigarette formats.
Mevius is associated with Japanese tobacco heritage and a range of international variants.
For more information about Mevius, see the Mevius Cigarettes Australia: Smooth Smoking Review.
9.0 Esse Cigarette Flavours and Options
International Esse ranges have historically included multiple flavour and colour variants.
Depending on the market, smokers may encounter names such as:
Esse Change
Esse Blue
Esse Purple
Esse Menthol
Esse Berry
Esse Capsule
Esse Superslim
Historical / International Options
These may appear in overseas catalogues or older product descriptions.
Current Australian Product Listings
These are the products actually displayed by an Australian retailer and subject to current Australian requirements.
This distinction also improves the article's factual accuracy.
9.1 Esse and Capsule Cigarettes
Esse is also frequently associated with searches for capsule cigarettes.
Capsule cigarettes historically contained a small flavour capsule inside the filter.
The capsule could be activated to change the perceived flavour.
However, Australian tobacco laws now prohibit tobacco-product accessories including capsules, crush balls and flavour beads.
AUS Cig Shop has previously published a Capsule Cigarettes Explained: A Guide for AU Smokers article explaining the historical mechanism and popularity of capsule cigarettes.
That article is useful for understanding why searches for Esse capsule products continue to exist, but current Australian regulations should always be considered.
9.2 Is Esse a Strong Cigarette?
There is no single answer because Esse refers to a family of products rather than one cigarette.
Different variants can have different:
Tobacco blends
Tar levels
Nicotine levels
Filters
Flavour profiles
Product designs
The word “superslim” does not automatically tell you how strong a cigarette is.
Similarly, a slim cigarette is not automatically lower in nicotine exposure or safer.
If you are comparing cigarette strength, always look at the exact product specification rather than judging by the cigarette's size or appearance.
9.3 Does Superslim Mean Lower Nicotine?
Not necessarily. Cigarette diameter is a physical characteristic. Nicotine and tar yields depend on the product's tobacco blend and design.
A thinner cigarette may look smaller, but that does not automatically mean that it contains less nicotine or creates less health risk.
Australia's tobacco reforms also standardised cigarette dimensions, partly to prevent product design from being used as a marketing distinction.
Therefore:
Slim ≠ safer
Superslim ≠ lower risk
Menthol ≠ safer
Smooth ≠ safer
These are important distinctions for anyone researching Esse or other cigarette brands.
10.0 What Should You Check When Researching Esse?
If you are an adult smoker researching Esse cigarettes, focus on the following.
1. Exact Variant
“Esse” is a brand, not a single cigarette. Esse hange and other international Esse variants may have different characteristics.
2. Look at old catalogs or international listings
That stuff might still show up in descriptions, but if doesn't mean you'll find it here.
3. Always check the current retailer's listing
To see if the product is actually for sale. And don't just rely on the color or name of a cigarette- dig into the real specifications.
4. Australian Regulations
This is especially important for menthol, capsules and flavour-related products.
11.0 Why Older Esse Menthol Articles Can Be Misleading
One of the biggest SEO problems with cigarette content is outdated information. An article published before July 2025 may say: “These are the best menthol cigarettes in Australia.” But that statement may no longer accurately describe the legal Australian market.
Australia's tobacco laws snapped fully into place in July 2025. Menthol, along with other flavors, got the axe. Accessories like crush balls and flavor beads are gone too.
12.0 Esse Cigarettes: Popular Options at a Glance
Esse Option General Description Australian Context
Esse Change Current Esse product listed by AUS Cig Shop Current site listing
Esse Superslim Slim-format category Australian cigarette dimensions are standardised
Esse Menthol Historical/international cooling category Menthol prohibited
Esse Capsule Historical flavour-change format Capsules prohibited
Esse Purple International variant terminology Check current local availability
Esse Blue International variant terminology Check exact product
This table intentionally separates international/historical terminology from the current Australian regulatory environment.
13.0 Is Esse Better Than Regular Cigarettes?
There is no universal answer. If an adult smoker prefers a narrow cigarette format, Esse may be more relevant than a conventional cigarette.
If someone prefers a traditional cigarette shape, brands such as Dunhill Red or Manchester Royal Red may be more familiar.
But “better” should not mean healthier.nThere is no safe cigarette.
Australia's Department of Health explicitly states that the tobacco reforms do not reduce the health risk of smoking and that no tobacco product or level of smoking is safe.
The meaningful differences are therefore:
Format
Tobacco profile
Filter
Flavour
Product design
Price
Availability
rather than health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What are Esse cigarettes?
Esse is an international cigarette brand strongly associated with slim and superslim cigarette formats. Different markets have offered different Esse varieties.
2 Are Esse cigarettes superslim?
Esse has historically been strongly associated with slim and superslim cigarette formats, although exact product dimensions depend on the specific variant and market.
3 Are Esse menthol cigarettes legal in Australia?
Menthol cigarettes are not legally sold in Australia under the current tobacco rules. The Australian Government states that menthol cigarettes and menthol accessories such as crush balls were prohibited from sale from 1 July 2025.
4 Are Esse capsule cigarettes legal in Australia?
Capsules, crush balls and flavour beads that alter tobacco flavour or smell are prohibited under Australia's tobacco requirements.
5 Does superslim mean Esse cigarettes are safer?
No. Cigarette size does not make smoking safe. Australia states that no tobacco product or level of smoking is safe.
6 Is Esse a Korean cigarette brand?
Esse is strongly associated with the Korean tobacco market and has developed an international presence, particularly in slim cigarette categories.
7 What is the difference between Esse and Mevius?
Esse is particularly associated with slim/superslim formats, while Mevius is a Japanese cigarette brand with a broad international range. AUS Cig Shop currently lists both brands/products on its website.
Final Thoughts
Esse remains one of the most recognisable names in the slim and superslim cigarette category.
For Australian adult smokers researching the brand, Esse Change is currently the most relevant product on AUS Cig Shop's website.
The broader Esse range is more complicated because international and historical products may include menthol, capsules, flavoured variants and superslim formats.
Since July 2025, the tobacco laws in Australia are a whole new story. Menthol and certain other flavours are prohibited, while capsules, crush balls and flavour beads are also prohibited. Cigarette dimensions and filter designs have been standardised.