A cigarette packing machine for producing a rigid packet with a hinged lid; the packing machine comprising: a first packing unit which folds a first blank about a group of cigarettes to form an outer container with a hinged lid; and a second packing unit which folds a second blank about the outer container to form a tubular slide surrounding the outer container to slide axially with respect to the outer container; wherein the tubular slide having a transmission member, in turn having a first end integral with the lid, a second end opposite the first end and integral with the slide, and a deformable intermediate portion having a U-shaped fold between the outer container and the slide; the packing machine being characterized in that the second packing unit comprises: a first packing wheel having at least one first pocket; a first feed unit which feeds the second blank to a first pocket of the first packing wheel; a first transfer station which transfers the outer container to the first pocket of the first packing wheel; a folding device which folds the second blank about the outer container; and a second transfer station which transfers the outer container, together with the second blank, from the first pocket of the first packing wheel; and wherein the first feed unit is located upstream from the first transfer station, and inserts the second blank, folded into a U, into the first pocket of the first packing wheel. a first packing unit which folds a first blank about a group of cigarettes to form an outer container with a hinged lid; and a second packing unit which folds a second blank about the outer container to form a tubular slide surrounding the outer container to slide axially with respect to the outer container; wherein the tubular slide having a transmission member, in turn having a first end integral with the lid, a second end opposite the first end and integral with the slide, and a deformable intermediate portion having a U-shaped fold between the outer container and the slide; the packing machine being characterized in that the second packing unit comprises: a first packing wheel having at least one first pocket; a first feed unit which feeds the second blank to a first pocket of the first packing wheel; a first transfer station which transfers the outer container to the first pocket of the first packing wheel; a folding device which folds the second blank about the outer container; and a second transfer station which transfers the outer container, together with the second blank, from the first pocket of the first packing wheel; and wherein the first feed unit is located upstream from the first transfer station, and inserts the second blank, folded into a U, into the first pocket of the first packing wheel. a first packing wheel having at least one first pocket; a first feed unit which feeds the second blank to a first pocket of the first packing wheel; a first transfer station which transfers the outer container to the first pocket of the first packing wheel; a folding device which folds the second blank about the outer container; and a second transfer station which transfers the outer container, together with the second blank, from the first pocket of the first packing wheel; and wherein the first feed unit is located upstream from the first transfer station, and inserts the second blank, folded into a U, into the first pocket of the first packing wheel.