This research reports the activated carbon fibers (ACFs) production from smoked cigarette wastes by a simple and facile technique. One-step carbonization/activation process with a NaOH activating agent has been considered for the first time. Cigarette waste-derived ACFs samples were synthesized using various NaOH concentrations and heating rates. The carbon yield, morphology, chemical composition, and surface area of the ACFs were analyzed and compared. Pre-treatment with NaOH activation agent improves the carbon yield, thermal stability, and surface area. The optimal microporous ACFs with 34.82 wt% of carbon yield and 1357 m2/g of surface area were synthesized by 10 g/L of NaOH pre-treatment and 2 ℃/min of heating rate. The ACFs samples synthesized with higher NaOH concentrations are mainly the mesoporous structure and lower surface area. This study presented a manageable approach for synthesizing high-performance ACFs with unique fibrous structures from smoked cigarette wastes. Main advantage of the designed procedure is establishing an environmentally friendly manufacturing of micro/ mesoporous ACFs.