A continuous web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material, particularly
for
smokers' products, is split by a pair of rotary knives into two strips which are
fed to discrete strip processing units, such as wrapping units for rod-like tobacco
fillers. If the width of the web and/or of one strip or both strips departs from
a predetermined width, the web is shifted sideways and/or at least one of the strips
is moved relative to the other strip to at least partially compensate for departures
of monitored width from the predetermined width. This can be accomplished by changing
the orientation of a frame for rollers which flank the web and/or by changing the
level or levels of one or more rolls which advance the web by way of the strips.