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Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with increased lung cancer incidence and mortality. However, the short-term association between air pollution and lung cancer mortality (LCM) remains largely unknown. We collected daily data on particulate matter with diameter <2.5 μm (PM 2.5), particulate matter with diameter < 10 μm (PM 10), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), and ozone (O 3), and LCM in three of the biggest cities in China, i.e. Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangzhou, from 2013 to 2015. We first estimated city-specific relationships between air pollutants and LCM using time-series generalized linear models, adjusting for potential confounders. A classification and regression tree (CART) model was used to stratify LCM risk based on combinations of air pollutants and meteorological factors in each city. Then we pooled the city-specific associations using random-effects meta-analysis. Meta regression was used to explore if city-specific characteristics modified the air pollution-LCM association. Finally, we stratified the analyses by season, age, and sex. Over the entire period, the current-day concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Chongqing and PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and SO 2 in Guangzhou were positively associated with LCM (Excess risk ranged from 0.72% (95% CI 0.27%–1.17%) to 6.06% (95% CI 0.76%–11.64%) with each 10 μg/m3 increment in different pollutants), but the association between current-day air pollution and LCM in Beijing was not significant (P > 0.05). When considering the environmental and weather factors simultaneously, current-day PM 2.5 , relative humidity, and PM 10 were the most important factors associated with LCM in Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangzhou, respectively. LCM risk related with daily PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and SO 2 significantly increased with the increasing annual mean temperature and humidity of the city, while LCM risk related with daily O 3 significantly increased with the increases of latitude, annual mean O 3 concentration, and socioeconomic level. After stratification, the current-day PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and O 3 during the warm season in Beijing and PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and SO 2 during the cool season in Chongqing and Guangzhou were positively associated with LCM (Excess risk ranged from 0.93% (95% CI 0.42%–1.45%) to 7.16% (95% CI 0.64%–14.09%) with each 10 μg/m3 increment in different pollutants). Male and the elderly lung cancer patients were more sensitive to the short-term effect of air pollution. Lung cancer patients should enhance protection measures against air pollution. More attentions should be paid for the high PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and O 3 during the warm season in Beijing, and high PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and SO 2 during the cool season in Chongqing and Guangzhou. • Short-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of lung cancer mortality. • The short-term associations between air pollutants and lung cancer mortality varied by city and season. • Daily air pollutants and weather factors had synergistic effects on daily lung cancer mortality. • Male and elder lung cancer patients were more susceptible to air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]