It is a strange parallel but it is true. There are a massive amount of cameras and surveillance in the real world and the forum also has years of history which can be checked or be under surveillance. Parts of the forum that are not available online for the general public to view have been backed up somewhere and can be accessed by a few people.
As ludicrous as it might seem, if there is a financial penalty to pay (or if there is a threat of losing your trading licence) in the event vendors sell cigarettes or alcohol without checking ID, then I suppose it really is a matter of the law coming to direct conflict with common sense. Usually common sense prevails but if someone wants to implement the law they are not doing anything wrong.
with cameras in stores 24/7 its hard to let stuff like that slide even if you wanted to. the camera eye sees all..
same as the forum i guess, access 24/7 for anyone to check past post history.