Abstract: In order to improve the sensory comfortability of cigarette smoke, the water used in cigarette production was optimized by evaluating the permeability and absorption properties of water treated with activated ceramic balls as well as its degree of association with cut tobacco. The results showed that: 1) The ¹⁷O NMR full widths at half maximum intensity (FWHMI) differed greatly among the softened water, mineral water and pure water, and the FWHMI of the softened water was the highest and that of pure water was the lowest. 2) After treatment with different activated ceramic balls, the FWHMIs of most of the water samples were reduced due to the variations of aggregation state of water molecules. Using the selected activated ceramic ball FQ02 to treat mineral water sample No.1, the FWHMI of the activated water was reduced by 37.27% at the highest. 3) The infiltration performance, permeability, absorption property and the degree of association with cut tobacco of the activated water samples were better than those of untreated softened water. 4) The infiltration sensation of cigarette smoke was increased, the irritation and dryness were weakened, and the mildness and mellowness were improved after the activated water was applied to cigarette production.