A packing method for producing an outer container of a slide-open package of smoking articles with a hinged lid; the package comprising: an inner container housing a group of smoking articles and having an open top end; the outer container, which is formed by folding an outer blank, and houses the inner container to allow the inner container to slide with respect to the outer container between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is expelled from the outer container; and a lid, which is hinged to a rear wall of the outer container, closes the open top end of the inner container when closed, and is connected mechanically to the inner container by a connecting tab; the packing method comprising the steps of: placing the inner container on a first panel of the outer blank, which forms the rear wall of the outer container, while a second panel of the outer blank, which forms a top wall of the lid, is coplanar with the first panel; positioning, before placing the inner container on the first panel of the outer blank, the connecting tab so that it is located between the first panel of the outer blank and the inner container when the inner container is placed on the first panel of the outer blank; applying glue (78, 79), before placing the inner container on the first panel of the outer blank, to glue the connecting tab to the inner container when the inner container is placed on the first panel of the outer blank; and folding the second panel of the outer blank 90° with respect to the first panel, so as to simultaneously slide the inner container with respect to the outer blank; the packing method being characterized by comprising the further step of exerting thrust, simultaneous and coordinated with the step of folding the second panel of the outer blank 90°, on the inner container, to slide the inner container with respect to the outer blank, by means of an actuator contacting a wall of the inner container. an inner container housing a group of smoking articles and having an open top end; the outer container, which is formed by folding an outer blank, and houses the inner container to allow the inner container to slide with respect to the outer container between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is expelled from the outer container; and a lid, which is hinged to a rear wall of the outer container, closes the open top end of the inner container when closed, and is connected mechanically to the inner container by a connecting tab; the packing method comprising the steps of: placing the inner container on a first panel of the outer blank, which forms the rear wall of the outer container, while a second panel of the outer blank, which forms a top wall of the lid, is coplanar with the first panel; positioning, before placing the inner container on the first panel of the outer blank, the connecting tab so that it is located between the first panel of the outer blank and the inner container when the inner container is placed on the first panel of the outer blank; applying glue (78, 79), before placing the inner container on the first panel of the outer blank, to glue the connecting tab to the inner container when the inner container is placed on the first panel of the outer blank; and folding the second panel of the outer blank 90° with respect to the first panel, so as to simultaneously slide the inner container with respect to the outer blank; the packing method being characterized by comprising the further step of exerting thrust, simultaneous and coordinated with the step of folding the second panel of the outer blank 90°, on the inner container, to slide the inner container with respect to the outer blank, by means of an actuator contacting a wall of the inner container. placing the inner container on a first panel of the outer blank, which forms the rear wall of the outer container, while a second panel of the outer blank, which forms a top wall of the lid, is coplanar with the first panel; positioning, before placing the inner container on the first panel of the outer blank, the connecting tab so that it is located between the first panel of the outer blank and the inner container when the inner container is placed on the first panel of the outer blank; applying glue (78, 79), before placing the inner container on the first panel of the outer blank, to glue the connecting tab to the inner container when the inner container is placed on the first panel of the outer blank; and folding the second panel of the outer blank 90° with respect to the first panel, so as to simultaneously slide the inner container with respect to the outer blank; the packing method being characterized by comprising the further step of exerting thrust, simultaneous and coordinated with the step of folding the second panel of the outer blank 90°, on the inner container, to slide the inner container with respect to the outer blank, by means of an actuator contacting a wall of the inner container.