Four Tauranga retailers have been caught selling tobacco to minors.
Toi Te Ora Public Health Service carried out a controlled purchase operation across the Western Bay of Plenty involving 36 outlets.
Medical officer of health, Dr Neil de Wet said the operation had been carried out since July.
"During this operation, there were four sales to a person under the age of 18 which is disappointing."
Of the four breaches one was in Te Puke, two were in Papamoa, and one was in Tauranga. All were dairies.