Abstract: In order to provide references for slim cigarette (φ=5.4 mm) design, cellulose acetate tow items for slim filter rod of five specifications were tested in terms of their characteristics in filter rod making and corresponding tow characterization graphs. Filter rods with different pressure drop were made and filter cigarettes prepared. The nicotine removal efficiencies of the filters were investigated. The results showed that:1) Obvious differences were found between the characterization curves of tow items of different specifications, the pressure drop ranged from 1 850 to 7 250 Pa, and low total denier and high denier per filament (dpf) were more suitable for forming slim filter rod with low pressure drop. 2) The nicotine removal efficiencies ranged from 11.9% to 23.5%. Within the test range, for the tow items of the same specifications, the nicotine removal efficiency of filter increased with the increase of pressure drop of filter rod; for the tow items of different specifications, the smoke removal efficiency of filter rod decreased with the increase of dpf and the decrease of total denier. According to the design target of slim cigarette, cigarette with satisfied sensory quality and appropriate mainstream cigarette smoke could be obtained by selecting cellulose acetate tows of different specifications to form filter rods with suitable pressure drop.