Aside from cigarettes being in plain packaging and costing more, there's also the possibility of them being prohibited items at Deakin University's Warrnambool campus.

A leaked Deakin email said "it has been proposed by the Burwood (occupational health and safety) committee that the university move towards a total prohibition on smoking across all its campuses".

"This could be either done in one step or by continuing the phased approach taken at the Melbourne campus at Burwood," the email, written by Burwood campus OHS manager Michael O'Donoghue, said.

Mr O'Donoghue also wrote that a review had been requested, with "the views of faculties and divisions... to be canvassed".

"I have recently asked Deans, Heads of School and Directors for their views from their areas," he added, but there is no mention of all staff or students being consulted.

However, an emailed response from Deakin to The Standard's enquiries downplayed the smoking restrictions, saying it was at a broader consultation phase.

"Deakin University is in the process of seeking the views of its staff on the current smoking restrictions on all its campuses and a potential move to tighter restrictions," Deakin University chief operating officer Graeme Dennehy said.

"The views of students have also been invited through the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA).

"No decision on changing smoking restrictions has been made at this stage and tighter restrictions do not necessarily mean a total prohibition on smoking on campuses."

DUSA was contacted for comment but did not respond. However, it is understood they had not been consulted or notified of the smoking review. South West TAFE already has a smoking ban at its four campuses in Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton and Sherwood Park which has been in place since January 1, 2006, South West TAFE chief executive Joe Piper said.

"At our Glenormiston campus, because of its size, we have a few smoking areas designated," he said,

But at the other four smokers have to go "outside the campus perimeter" to light up.

"We endeavour to provide a smoke-free environment for students and staff, but students and staff have the right to leave our campus to smoke if they wish."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday announced an increase in the excise duty on cigarettes by 25 per cent as of midnight last night. Mr Rudd said the sudden increase was to prevent stockpiling in the lead up to a price rise.

The rise is expected to add about $2.16 to cost of a pack of 30 cigarettes. The federal government is expecting this to generate an extra $5 billion over four years, which it has vowed to invest in hospitals.

The now-more expensive cigarettes will be sold in plain packages as of January 2012, with the aim of making smoking less attractive to young people.

Cigarette packs will now feature only brand and product names in a standardised style, as well as the compulsory health warnings.