Method and device for controlled supply of a cigarette flow

The method involves conveying a cigarette stream (10) in a controlled manner into an initially empty conveying section (16) of a machine for producing and packaging cigarettes. The cigarette stream is supported by a movable supporting element moved together with the cigarette stream along the conveying section. Walls (18) are moved to delimit the conveying section laterally to change the cross section such that the cross section in the conveying direction widens for distributing the cigarette stream to an adjoining conveying section having a greater cross sectional width. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for conveying a cigarette stream in a controlled manner into a conveying section.