The present invention provides an ignition system for a smoking machine, comprising a heat source (2) that is adapted for emitting heat for igniting one end of a smoking article which is held by a smoking machine; an automatic sensor (3, 4) which is adapted for detecting the position of said end of the smoking article; and control means in communication with said sensor (3, 4), which are adapted for automatically adjusting the operation of said heat source (2) and/or for automatically adjusting relative movement of said heat source and/or of said article, depending on the position of said end as detected by said sensor (3, 4), such as to enable successful ignition of said end by said heat source. The invention further provides a kit of components for forming an ignition system in accordance with the invention, and a smoking machine comprising an ignition system in accordance with the invention.