Abstract: Cigarette rods are manufactured at high rates of speed using a cigarette making machine having a tongue which is equipped such that water is continuously fed therethrough in order to exit the surface of the tongue which contacts a tobacco filler stream passing through the garniture region of the cigarette making machine. The process of introducing water through the tongue during a cigarette making operation allows the manufacture to produce a continuous cigarette rod of controlled integrity. For example, cigarettes of controlled density and firmness, and having very low amounts of hard spots, soft spots and loose ends, can be manufactured. The process provides for the manufacture of cigarettes at high speeds, and for the manufacture of cigarettes having high filling capacity tobacco blends. For example, cigarettes having blends comprising relatively high levels of volume expanded tobacco can be manufactured efficiently and effectively.