A control unit of this invention includes a control section that controls a heater for heating an aerosol source. The control section is configured to control the temperature of the heater toward a first target temperature during a first period, and controls the temperature of the heater toward a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature during a second period after the first period, and controls the temperature of the heater toward a third target temperature lower than the second target temperature during a third period after the second period.本發明之控制單元係具備有控制對霧氣源加熱之加熱器之控制部。控制部係構成為：在第一期間中控制加熱器的溫度使之朝向第一目標溫度，在第一期間後的第二期間中控制加熱器的溫度使之朝向比第一目標溫度還低之第二目標溫度，在第二期間後的第三期間中控制加熱器的溫度使之朝向比第二目標溫度還低之第三目標溫度。
