Lung cancer is the second most common human malignant disease and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The effect of CYP1A1 IleVal polymorphism on susceptibility to lung cancer has been researched extensively over the last two decades. However, controversial results were obtained. To provide a more robust estimate of the effect, a meta-analysis was carried out. We systematically searched the PubMed database for studies published before August 2010, without language restriction. On the basis of our search criteria, a total of 32 studies (5126 patients and 6974 controls) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, CYP1A1 IleVal polymorphism is associated with lung cancer risk (GG vs. AG+AA: odds ratio=1.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.19-2.17; GG vs. AA: odds ratio=1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-2.35). Ethnic subgroup analyses showed that a significant association was found in Asians, but not in Africans, Caucasians, or other populations. In subgroup analyses by histology, the result is not reliable. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the CYP1A1 IleVal polymorphism might play a modest role in susceptibility to lung cancer, especially in Asians.