Hertfordshire Trading Standards has become one of the first in the country authorised to issue fixed-penalty notices for disorder to anyone selling alcohol to children under 18.
Trading standards officers gained the new powers under the Police Reform Act, having completed training and accreditation sessions last week.
The move brings the service in line with police, who were already able to issue the £80 fines.
Councillor Keith Emsall, executive member for community safety and culture, said: "It is only fair to warn licensees that we have every intention of using these new powers.
"The aim is not to replace prosecution through the courts but to give our officers the option to react quickly and proportionately in certain circumstances, at their discretion, where a sharp warning is needed rather than the full weight of the law."
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