Abstract: This study investigates the heat transfer mechanisms in circumferentially heated cigarettes. Flow and heat transfer control equations are formulated for distinct regions within the cigarette. Experimental research is conducted to ascertain the boundary conditions for these equations. Subsequently, numerical simulations are employed to compute the temperature field and its temporal evolution within the cigarette. The results demonstrate that the numerical simulations align closely with experimental data, exhibiting an average maximum deviation of merely 1.4%. Leveraging the numerical simulation outcomes, a detailed analysis of the heat transfer process from the heating element through the air layer, cigarette paper, and ultimately to the tobacco is undertaken. The energy distribution among different components of the heating cigarette system is also quantified. It is found that the majority of heat is transferred from the heating element to the cigarette paper surface via conduction, accounting for 11.9% of the total energy. Only 8.1% of the total heating energy is absorbed by the tobacco. The developed numerical model accurately predicts the temperature distribution in circumferentially heated cigarette products, thereby offering valuable insights and guidance for the analysis of heat transfer processes and temperature regulation in such cigarettes.