This study describes preliminary results using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging techniques to investigate the combustion characteristics of cigarettes made with banded papers. In recent years, both FTIR and NMR have been employed to provide for the dynamic characterization of the combustion processes within cigarettes manufactured with conventional cigarette paper. These techniques are of particular interest in the characterization of banded paper cigarettes since such cigarettes are designed to modulate the rate of combustion during the progression of the coal down the rod. FTIR analysis of mainstream smoke, during puffing, provides insight into the differences in the combustion process within and outside of banded regions. Analysis of NMR imaging data provides complementary information on the tobacco rod composition, packing density, homogeneity, and the impact of the paper heterogeneity. Multidimensional NMR imaging provides for the assessment of the dynamic distributions of solids and liquids associated with combustion and pyrolytic reactions within the rod. The complementary nature of these two techniques will be discussed in the context of the unique characteristics of banded paper cigarettes as compared to non-banded cigarettes.