In this study an overview of the thermal degradation of cigarette paper is given. The samples consist of cigarette paper produced with different pulps and additives. Samples of cigarette paper were examined at a temperature range between 100 °C and 600 °C. For this purpose, a thermoextraction device for the temperatures from 100 °C to 300 °C was used. Temperatures between 300 °C and 600 °C were applied to the paper with a pyrolyser. The degradation products, formed at different temperatures, were measured with a gas chromatograph, equipped with a mass selective detector. (GC-MSD). The chromatograms obtained were interpreted by identifying the main compounds of the degradation process. Furthermore the whole chromatogram trace was analysed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This statistical method enables takes into account all the information supplied by the chromatograms. In addition to that, meaningful information can be separated from noise. This study is intended to provide more detailed information on the influence of different pulps and additives on the taste of cigarette paper at different temperatures.