In the past years meaningful changes have occurred that influenced the chemical smoke composition. Several factors contributed to these changes, and, more precisely, filters, paper of different porosity, reconstituted and expanded tobacco, ventilated tipping paper and size changes in cigarettes. The influence that the single factors have had on the profile of a modern cigarette selling on the Italian market is here described. In particular, the great development occurred in Italy in the use of perforated tipping papers is pointed out. The trend of the nicotine and condensate quantities produced by cigarettes in the period between 1976 and 1985 is also described, emphasizing the appreciable reduction that took place in this period. In addition, the prospects emerging from the Italian market are also examined, underlining which characteristics the cigarettes demanded by consumers might have in the next future.