GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Imperial Tobacco has launched a legal challenge in Scotland against a law that bans the open display of cigarettes in retail shops and one that bans cigarette vending machines, the Daily Record reports.

The Scottish Parliament supported the bans in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Act in January, and it became law on March 3. Large retailers have until next year to comply with the display ban, and smaller shops have until 2013. The vending machine ban begins next year.

Imperial Tobacco is trying to overturn both measures, claiming they fall outside of Scotland's legislative authority while arguing the new law would "criminalize currently lawful activities relating to the displays and sale of those products." It is calling for the relevant parts of the Act to be set aside in a judicial review.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said it would fight the suit in support of the upcoming bans: "We will rigorously defend the Act. In the meantime we're proceeding with plans for implementation."

In April, Imperial filed suit to block a similar ban on tobacco displays in England and Wales under the Health Act of 2009.