Abstract: When tobacco shreds continuously supplied while the supply amount thereof is controlled are wrapped continuously with an elongated cigarette paper to form a tobacco rod and the tobacco rod is cut to predetermined lengths to manufacture cigarettes, the filling amount (filling density) of tobacco shreds at every portion in the lengthwise direction of tobacco rod is continuously measured in connection with the wrapping operation of the tobacco rod. The filling amount (momentary value) at every portion of the tobacco rod is compared with threshold values set in advance to detect a local excess filling portion and/or deficient filling portion of the tobacco shreds. This detection result is output in synchronization with the conveying timing of a cigarette having a predetermined length continuously cut from the tobacco rod, by which a cigarette including the local excess filling portion or deficient filling portion of tobacco shreds can be rejected surely.