BACKGROUND: Tobacco processing facilities produce voluminous air emissions containing a large number of smelly and potentially harmful volatile compounds that require implementation of the efficient odour control techniques. Biofiltration is the proved method for deodorisation of complex multi-component emissions. The purpose of the present study was to identify substances present in the emission of a typical tobacco industrial facility and demonstrate efficiency of the biotrickling filter for odour control. RESULTS: Composition of volatile compounds of leaf tobacco was investigated by capillary GC-MS. More than 80 individual compounds were identified. For evaluating the odour of individual components a GC-sniffing analysis was employed. Laboratory-scale trickling biofilters were used to develop a method for deodorisation of a simulated tobacco emission. Biofilters were operated for 12 months and demonstrated the absence of the 'tobacco smell' at the filter outlet and a stable rate of conversion of nicotine exceeding 90%. CONCLUSION: Composition of volatile substances of the leaf tobacco was investigated and compounds responsible for 'tobacco smell' were identified. A trickling biofiltration technique was shown to be an efficient method for control of tobacco odours. The results of the study have been scaled up to the pilot level to control emissions of an operating tobacco factory. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry