Imperial Tobacco Canada filed suit against an act passed last year by the Quebec government that banned flavoured tobacco products and imposed restrictive packaging. The company said its constitutional rights have been violated.

Bill 44, approved last November, included “extreme measures at the last minute and without proper consultation,” said Tamara Gitto, legal representative for Imperial Tobacco Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of British American Tobacco. The law imposes “unjustified packaging restrictions,” that go beyond national regulations, the company said. Menthol is among the banned flavours.