A cigarette packer (1) incorporates a station at which cigarettes (2) are formed into groups (12) and from which the groups (12) are advanced by a first conveyor (13) along a first feed path (P) toward a wrapping station (16). A first inspection device (24) located along the first feed path (P) detects initially whether or not there are any defective cigarettes (2) in each group (12), and a second inspection device (45) located along a second conveyor (30) then identifies the single defective cigarettes (2) detected by the first device (24); the second inspection device (45) operates in conjunction with a rejection unit (46) by which defective cigarettes (2) are removed from the second conveyor (30).