A method for combining segments of a smoking article, comprises the steps of: —providing a group of segments having a heat source (10; 20) and an aerosol-forming substrate (11; 21) the aerosol-forming substrate (10; 20) being arranged such that a remote end (112; 212) thereof faces away from the heat source (10; 20) while a near end (112; 211) thereof abuts the heat source (10; 20), —feeding an airflow directing truncated hollow cone (13; 23) having a widest end (131; 231) and a truncated narrowest end (130; 230) such that the truncated narrowest end (130; 230) is arranged to face the remote end (112; 212) of the aerosol-forming substrate (11; 21), and —moving the truncated hollow cone (13; 23) towards the remote end (112; 212) of the aerosol-forming substrate (11; 21) to abut the remote end (112; 212) thereof or to extend into an indentation (113; 213) in the remote end (112; 212) thereof.