Abstract: A heat conductive capsule which carries or contains an aerosol forming material for use in smoking articles which upon heating ruptures or otherwise undergoes a change in structure to release at least a portion of the aerosol forming material, which aerosol resembles tobacco smoke, but preferably contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.The preferred smoking article of the present invention provides an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavor or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials.One especially preferred embodiment of the present smoking article comprises a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, encapsulated aerosol forming substance, and a relatively long mouthend piece. The capsule is preferably formed from a heat conductive metal such as aluminum foil.