Abstract: The reliability of mechanical testing of the hardness of cigarettes with one or more pivotable weights is enhanced by modifying the results of such testing on the basis of signals which are obtained by optically scanning the diameters of successive cigarettes prior to mechanically induced deformation. Optical scanning is carried out by triangulation with a fixedly mounted measuring head. The signals which are obtained with mechanical testing can be further influenced by taking into consideration the moisture content and/or the temperature of tobacco in tested cigarettes.