The trace metals cadmium, lead, copper, cobalt and nickel have been analysed in 14 different Austrian filter cigarettes. The results show a good conformity thus allowing the calculation of a characteristic mean value. The same metals were analysed separately in the gas and particle phase. From this data and the results obtained from butt and ash analysis, the sidestream concentrations and the transfer rates for both fractions could be evaluated. A classification into light and heavy cigarettes on the basis of heavy metal contents could not be made due to the similarity of the results.