On-the-spot fines for retailers caught selling tobacco to underage customers are set to be introduced later this month - and the trade has not even been consulted.
The measure – due to come into effect from 26 January – was laid before parliament on 29 December as part of the little-noticed “Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (Amendment) Order 2009″.
The amendment added 21 new offences to the list of crimes that can be punished by penalty notices for disorder (PND) – so-called on-the-spot fines.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is angry over the way the measure has been slipped onto the statute book without consultation.
Public affairs director Shane Brennan said: “They have been brought in without telling anybody.
“There has been no consultation on this. A significant number of retailers will be given penalties.
“There has to be better communication with retailers over what rules they could be faced with.
“We’re saying to government there’s no way they police should be able to use this without telling the trade first.”
