We propose a new method based on the differential absorption lidar technique for multipollutant detection. A broadband laser is sent into the atmosphere in a wavelength range in which several pollutants absorb. The backscattered light is analyzed by a Fourier-transform spectrometer with time resolution. This mode of detection provides both spatial and high spectral resolution down to 0.01 cm(-1), allowing range-resolved measurements of several pollutants simultaneously. To demonstrate the feasibility of this method, we have measured water vapor concentration by using more than 10 individual lines in the 720-nm absorption band. The potential and the limitations are discussed critically.