Abstract: Partially completed cigarette packages are ejected from cells mounted on a turret of a wrapping machine by a pusher device which is caused to both reciprocate axially with respect to the cells and also to move with the cells over a limited arcuate range. The reciprocating motion is controlled so that the impact speed of the pusher device on the cigarettes is low while the average pusher device speed is relatively high. The arcuate motion of the pusher device is controlled so that the time required to complete the ejection and withdrawal strokes thereof can be greater than the dwell time between steps of motion of the cells. A back-up member moves in synchronism with the pusher device during the ejection stroke to prevent opening of the package end opposite to that corresponding to the operating region of the pusher device.