As of June 28, 2004, only cigarettes that pass the ASTM E2187-02B ignition strength test more than 75% of the time have been allowed for sale in New York. In this paper we will explore the changes in design of selected commercial cigarette that resulted in this decreased ignition strength. We sampled 14 cigarette brands from the New York market and compared their performances with the same brands sold in other states that were not designed to meet the New York regulations. This study was not meant to be an exhaustive analysis of all cigarettes sold in New York, but rather cigarettes were chosen to represent a broad range of design options. In many cases it was determined that cigarette manufacturers had to make changes to the paper design to be compliant with the New York regulation. All cigarettes purchased in New York state met the ASTM ignition strength standard, but there were differences in cigarette free-air smolder rate and deliveries.