Abstract: In order to reduce the lignin content in cut stems, to improve the quality of cut stems and to increase their proportion in cigarette blends, single factor experiments were conducted to study the effects of four factors involved in laccase treatment of cut stems (treatment temperature, treatment time, addition rate of laccase, pH of laccase solution) on the degradation of lignin in cut stems. The degradation technology was optimized by response surface method, the cut stems were analyzed by scanning electron microscope before and after the laccase treatment, and the sensory quality of cigarettes made of the treated and untreated cut stems was panel tested, separately. The results showed that:1) The optimized treatment condition was at temperature 45.0℃, treatment time 3.0 h, the addition rate of laccase 20.0 U/g, and pH of laccase solution at 6.0. The calculated degradation rate of lignin was 56.68%, and the measured value was 55.05%. 2) The surface of the treated cut stems by laccase was smoother with less burrs. 3) Comparing with the control, the aroma quality, aroma quantity and aftertaste of the test cigarette smoke were improved, the levels of offensive odor and irritation were reduced, while the strength, combustibility and ash color did not change obviously. In summary, the optimized treatment condition for degrading lignin in cut stems with laccase is reliable, which provides the potential to expand the application of cut stem in cigarette.