A cigarette, having a tobacco rod consisting of at least two segments. The segment toward the filter end of the tobacco rod has a density at least 20% greater than the fire-end segment. The density differential may be combined with a nicotine differential, such that the fire-end segment has a higher nicotine content than does the filter-end segment. This configuration alters the nicotine delivery of the invention, providing a nicotine delivery either uniform during the last half of the cigarette or at levels reduced from those seen during the first few puffs.