Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a rod of tobacco or the like enclosed by a paper strip is described, wherein a paper strip is supported and transported by a garniture tape and tobacco is deposited on the paper strip. The tobacco is compressed into a tobacco core and the paper strip is closed with its longitudinal edges parts around the compressed tobacco core. A channel is formed in the circumference of the tobacco rod during the compressing by means of an entrance finger with a ridge. A second longitudinal edge part of the paper strip is folded into the channel by a folding element and a first longitudinal edge part is subsequently laid over said channel.