Retailers will now more easily be able to track what people buy. Cash tells them nothing. Cash plus ID tells them what, when and who.

Watch for function creep in retail to cover the web too, but for everyone; "You wouldn't want to stop us protecting your children, now would you?".

It's been said many times before but let's say it again. If you have to prove anything to buy fags, it's just that you're over 16. It's not who you are. It's not even your date of birth. A green light that says "OK" and tells the retailer nothing else would suffice.