Abstract: Metabolomics has been considered one of the most effective means of investigating physiological and biochemical processes and gene function of plants. Here we review the main process of metabolomics and its application status in tobacco research, the regulation mechanisms of physiological and biochemical reactions when tobacco responds to different environmental, biotic and abiotic stresses, chemically induced processes and genetic modifications. Finally, issues of critical significance to current tobacco metabolomics research are discussed and it is noted that integration with other omics is the trend of metabolomics research in tobacco.