【Objective】Influence of storage duration on pH value and main chemical components of cut tobacco was studied to ascertain the best storage duration for cigarette. 【Method】Brand A cigarette was used to investigate the influence of storage duration （0-240 d） on pH value of flue-cured cut tobacco and its main chemical components viz.， petroleum ether extract， total sugar， reducing sugar， total nitrogen， total vegetable alkaloid， chlorine， and potassium. 【Result】The results showed that during 60-180 d， pH value， the contents of petroleum ether extract， soluble total sugar， and reducing sugar in tobacco shred slowly increased， but after 180 d， the content of petroleum ether extract， soluble total sugar， and reducing sugar decreased remarkably. During the storage period， the change curve of total nitrogen and total vegetable alkaloid contents were in contrast to the change curve of soluble total sugar and reducing sugar content; nitrogen content in tobacco shred began to rise on the 60 d， while potassium content after storing 180 d was dramatically lower than its initial content before storing. 【Conclusion】Brand A cigarettes should be stored for no more than 180 days for them to maintain optimal product quality.