Nine different electrolyte materials were added separately to cigarette filters. Mainstream smoke properties (TPM, Tar, Moisture, Nicotine, CO and B[a]P) of cigarettes made with such filters were measured. Other samples were prepared by injecting selected chemicals into each cigarette with the different types of filter. Chemical changes in mainstream smoke of these samples were measured by GC/MS. Analysis results and sensory assessments indicate that (1) the influence of electrolyte materials on the total particle matter of mainstream cigarette smoke is related to the acidity of electrolyte materials and the electrical charges on the smoke particles, and (2) the influence of electrolytes on cigarette smoke taste is related to the distribution characteristics of chemicals among various charged particles and various particles of different acidity in the cigarette smoke aerosol. It was also found that the smoke taste of Virginia cigarettes made with electrolyte filters was improved, in contrast to similar cigarettes made with charcoal filters. This phenomenon indicates that electrolyte materials and charcoal materials have different selectivities for reducing particulate matter in cigarette smoke. This finding is significant for the selection of new types of cigarette filter additive.