When teenagers deceive their age to purchase alcohol and cigarettes, innocent small business owners and self-employed individuals can suffer unfair harm. To prevent such situations, the government has planned to revise the enforcement ordinances of three related laws, including the Youth Protection Act, the Food Sanitation Act, and the Tobacco Business Act.
In this revision, provisions have been included to exempt administrative actions in cases where it is confirmed through CCTV and other means that the business owner has checked the ID, or has been subject to assault or threats. In addition, the current business suspension standards are being improved, such as reducing the business suspension from two months to seven days when caught for the first time.
This amendment to the law enforcement ordinance is a measure to protect small business owners and self-employed individuals from suffering unfair harm due to illegal activities by teenagers. Through this, it is expected to minimize the damage to business owners that can occur due to illegal activities by teenagers, and contribute to creating a safer society.
Meanwhile, the act of teenagers illegally purchasing alcohol or cigarettes continues to cause many social problems. The responsibility for this lies not only with the teenagers but also with their parents, schools, and the whole society. There is a growing call for not only legal measures but also educational approaches to solve these problems.
NamdoToday