Ferrari may have to run without their 'Mission Winnow' branding at the Australian Grand Prix, as the country investigate whether it breaches advertising laws.

The initiative was created by long-time partner of the Italian team Philip Morris, makers of Marlboro cigarettes, which they argue is designed to promote alternatives to smoking.

However, the Age newspaper reports the Victorian state health department and the nationwide communications and media authority is taking a look at the matter, suggesting it may, in fact, be a clever strategy to advertise the Marlboro brand.

"It (Mission Winnow) has nothing to do with F1 cars, that's for sure," said anti-smoking campaigner John Cunningham.

However, Philip Morris has responded saying the company "always respects the laws that apply to our activities" before adding: "The campaign does not advertise or promote any branded products."

Highlighting how close the relationship has become the Mission Winnow initiative is set to be the title sponsor of Ferrari this year with the famous livery also expected to be a darker matte shade of red, similar to the Ducati MotoGP bike revealed last month.

Teams having to alter sponsorship logos at specific races isn't a new thing for F1 with many having to do so at European races in the early 2000s when cigarette advertising was banned.

More recently, alcohol brands have also had to be taken off cars at Middle Eastern races including the Martini stripes which have featured on the Williams cars.