The contents of eight metal elements in 42 different brands of cigarette ash, cut rag, and cigarette paper were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the effects of metal contents on the free burning speed were studied. The results showed that, potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper were closely related to the free burning speed of cigarettes. Among them, potassium promoted the free burning speed and magnesium inhibited the free burning speed. The other elements showed different influence trends due to different sources (cigarette paper or cut rag).