The relative proportions of the major smoke components and N-containing components in the semi-volatile phase and the non-volatile phase from some varieties of tobacco, i.e. flue-cured, Burley and Turkish tobacco, were determined. In flue-cured tobacco smoke, 2-furfural, 5-methylfurfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and other carbohydrate pyrolysates, catechols and organic acids were present in higher concentrations than in the smoke from the other tobaccos. In Burley tobacco smoke, myosmine was present in much higher concentration than in the smoke from the other tobaccos. In Turkish tobacco smoke, glycerol and β-methylvaleric acid were both present in much higher concentrations.