Abstract: To investigate the contents, annual variation and regional difference of mineral nutrient elements in flue-cured tobacco and the relationships with cigarette smoke sensory quality indexes, 821 tobacco leaves samples (C3F) were collected from main tobacco planting areas in China from 2011 to 2015. The mineral nutrient elements including N, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and Ni in the samples were analyzed. The results showed that:1) From 2011 to 2015, the N content in the samples was generally suitable; K and Cl contents presented great regional differences. Mg and Mn contents were relatively low in leaves from some areas, and Zn content was low in most samples. By planting areas, Cl and Zn contents were lower in leaves from some areas in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and the K and Zn contents in leaves from Huanghuai and North tobacco planting areas should be increased properly. 2) From 2011 to 2015, the annual variations in contents of the 10 mineral elements were different in different years. By comparing with the published data, it was discovered that N, K and Mn contents were increased, Ca and Cu contents were decreased, and Mg, Cl and Fe contents in flue-cured tobacco did not change obviously within recent 30 years in China. 3) Ca, Ni and Cu contents negatively correlated to smoke sensory quality to a certain extent, and the order of gray correlation between 10 mineral elements and sensory quality was N > K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cl > Cu.