Abstract: Aerosol particles stemming from tobacco smoke play a key role in indoor air pollution. The chemical characterization of it is essential to understanding the health hazard associated with smoking and indoor air monitoring. The task can be accomplished by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Only small sample quantities are necessary, and measurement can be performed within minutes. SIMS was found to be a valuable alternative method to routine analysis techniques that often require more sample quantities and laborious sample preparation. Trace mass specific patterns were identified, based on specific N-containing het-erocyclic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).