Abstract: The definition, technological configurations and functions of the manufacturing execution system (MES) were explained in detail.According to the production characteristics of cigarette enterprises and taking Longyan Cigarette Factory as an example, the needed preparations for applying MES in cigarette enterprises, and function modules, including detailed process dispatching, resource distribution and status management, basic data and files management, process technologic quality control, real-time process monitoring, equipment operation and maintenance management, data collection and statistics analysis, were discussed.Meanwhile, the application effect and development prospect of MES were also discussed.