Abstract: In order to reduce steam consumption, the steam jet vacuum pump system in the vacuum pre-conditioner was modified. The third and fourth stage steam jet vacuum pumps were replaced by water ring vacuum pumps. Meantime, the process parameters (such as the start conditions of all vacuum pumps, etc.) were optimized according to the variation of pressure in the conditioning chamber and the ratio between pressure decreasing speed in the chamber and steam consumption. A selected cigarette brand was tested in Honghe Cigarette Factory, the results showed that after modification, the quality of processed tobacco was consistent, the temperature, moisture content and ordering efficiency of tobacco did not differ significantly, and well fulfilled the technical requirements; the steam consumption reduced from 287.02 to 104.32 kg/batch, or by 726 ton/year, and 254 thousand RMB yuans production cost were saved per year. This method provides technical supports for reducing energy consumption and promoting the lean management level.