Abstract: To simplify sample preparation and reduce analysis errors, a Soxhlet extraction system combined with column chromatography purification was established to determine the levels of benzoapyrene(BaP)in mainstream cigarette smoke. Kentucky 2R4F reference cigarette and 14 cigarette samples were determined by the developed method. The results showed that: 1)The total particulate matter of mainstream cigarette smoke collected by a Cambridge filter pad was directly extracted, purified and concentrated by the improved Soxhlet extraction system. The extract was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry under selected ion monitoring mode. 2)BaP displayed a good linearity(R²=0.999 5)in the range of 5 to 500 ng/mL, and the detection limit was 0.12 ng/cig(S/N=3). The developed method had recoveries of 95.4%-104.2% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.32%. 3)The BaP in 2R4F reference cigarette and the 14 cigarette samples determined by the new method basically agreed with those determined by the GB/T 21130-2007 method. This method is simple, sensitive, reliable and suitable for detecting BaP in mainstream cigarette smoke.