Attorney-General Brian Wightman confirmed at the weekend that the State Government will introduce legislation this year to outlaw political donations from cigarette companies.

Last week it was revealed that the state Liberal Party's coffers had been boosted by a $22,000 cheque from British America Tobacco and three donations from Philip Morris - two lots of $3000 and $9900 during the 2010-11 financial year.

Professor Richard Herr, of the University of Tasmania's school of government, said it was a bad look for Labor to be singling out one type of company because it donated to its political opponents.

``It just seems so breathtakingly self-serving that the health message gets lost,'' Dr Herr said. ``It would be better to negotiate a voluntary arrangement.''

Dr Herr said Labor could face a backlash from civil liberties groups.

``We always get a bit nervous when things are banned.''

Tasmanian Greens leader Nick McKim said the government should consider extending the proposed ban to gaming and alcohol companies and property developers.

``If we're serious about this, let's do it in a holistic way and break the nexus with profits that are generated from human misery,'' Mr McKim said.

He wants rules on donations to be in place before the next state election, due in 2014, and has vowed to introduce legislation if the government does not.

``The Greens have a view that there needs to be a very low cap on all political donations from anyone whether they be individuals, unions, companies or anyone else.''

He suggested that a cap of about $1000 would work.

The state government will release a discussion paper on political donations this week.