Abstract: In order to provide references for the design and optimization of draw resistance of slim cigarette, cigarette samples of 17.0 mm circumference were prepared with filter rods made of cellulose acetate tow of five tow items (8.0Y/15 000, 9.5Y/12 000, 11.0Y/15 000, 6.0Y/17 000, 6.7Y/17 000)with pressure drop from 2 400 to 5 200 Pa, and cigarettes' ventilation rates were 0, 20%, 40%, 60% separately. The effects of ventilation rate, pressure drop of filter and cellulose acetate tow item on the draw resistance of cigarette were investigated. The results showed that:1)The ventilation rate was significantly negatively correlated(R² > 0.98) with the draw resistance of cigarette at the same pressure drop of filter rods, and the influencing degree raised slightly with the increase of pressure drop of filter rod. 2)At the same filter ventilation rate, the acetate tow with high denier per filament (dpf) and low total denier reduced the draw resistance of cigarette. 3) The pressure drop of filter rod significantly positively correlated to the draw resistance of cigarette(R²>0.96)at the same filter ventilation rate, and the influencing degree decreased with the increase of filter ventilation rate.