"has only left people scratching their heads"
I don't believe this. I think most people understand the rules and the intent of the rules. As to whether the rules are rational and effective, that's another question, but there's plenty of information out there, and I think that the 'people scratching their heads' thing is something fabricated by people who don't agree with the regulations put in place.
If a publican knows what type of meal she has to serve to a 16 year-old drinking a beer, then she knows what what rules apply in tier 2 for getting a drink.
p.s. Hello from Cornwall, you disease ridden eastern bastards! That'll teach you to put the cream on first. ;-) ---->