FREE vapes were being handed out outside the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, as campaigners warn that “irresponsible” companies are exploiting a “loophole” in legisla­tion.

Fans scooped up various flavours of the I Vape Great e-cigarettes as they arrived at last weekend’s Arsenal game – with everything from pineapple ice to cola frost on offer without having to fill out any forms certifying recipients were smokers.

Dishing out samples of cigarettes to the public became illegal in 2003, but companies promoting the sale of vapes have managed to exploit a legal loophole as they are not classed as “tobacco products”.

Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive at Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), told the Tribune: “Vapes can be extremely helpful quit aids for people who smoke as they are less harmful than cigarettes, but they are not risk free and contain nico­tine which is addictive. Due to this, there are restrictions on how they can be promoted.”

She added: “Unfortunately, some loopholes exist, which are exploited by irresponsible companies, which appears to have been the case here. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is due to become law shortly, will close this loophole once and for all. It will also give the Government powers to regulate the packaging, displace and promotion of vapes so they can be reclaimed as a smoking cessation device.”

Cllr Angelo Weekes, the Community Safety Chief at the Town Hall, pledged to put a stop to companies dishing out the devices if Labour were elected again.

“It shouldn’t be happening”, he said. “Following the reports of last week’s activity, my team went down there to do checks at yesterday’s match day”.

I Vape Great declined to comment.