Abstract: The invention concerns a method for modifying the peripheral conformation of a cigarette, which has an external, heat deformable, wrapper comprising a proportion of thermoplastic fibers or filaments. The method comprises the application of heat to the wrapper. Heat is applied by a heat forming means moved relatively and in contact with the cigarette, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Abstract: A cigarette comprises a cigarette rod of smokable material enwrapped in a cigarette wrapper and a filter tip attached at one end of said rod by means of a tipping wrapper, which tip comprises smoke-filtration means and is provided at its periphery with at least one groove extending to the mouth end of the tip, the cigarette wrapper, at the region adjacent the tip, being depressed inwardly to provide at least one cavity which is in communication with at least one groove and that portion of the tipping wrapper which overlies the cavity permitting ingress of air into the same. The cigarette wrapper may be of heat-deformable paper and may comprise a proportion of thermoplastic fibres or filaments. The tipping wrapper may extend to the mouth end of the tip. The cavity may comprise at least one annular groove in the said cigarette rod or may be formed by a drawing down of the cross section of the rod, to provide an annular cavity, by means of an additional wrapper of heat-deformable or heat-shrink material.