Allow the paste to come to room temperature. You will have to knead it for it to get back to a playdough type consistency. You can add a little bit of shortening to your hands and work that in to the paste to allow you to get a smoother product.

Drying time? Depends on the humidity of the day. You can tell when they are dry. It might take a day or two, it might take overnight. Never made gumpaste into cigarettes so I wouldn't know. Hope that helps.