In order to detect the occurrence of malfunctions in a sensor, a power supply unit is provided with a suction action sensor which detects an aerosol generation request, and a control portion which, on the basis of an output value from the sensor which has detected an aerosol generation request, detects whether the sensor is in a normal state or an abnormal state. In one case, a control unit of the device may determine that the sensor is an abnormal state when the number of aerosol generation requests within a predetermined time period is greater than a predetermined threshold.