Wolves' e-cigarette advert emails criticised

The exclusive offer to Wolves fans states that 'loyal' supporters can snap up Blu eCigs half price and enjoy an 'award-winning classic tobacco' flavour.

But Blu eCigs today said a small number of those emails could have been sent to children aged under 18.

The partnership between the club and firm was also criticised today by the chairman of the official Wolves supporters club, who labelled it inappropriate and 'money-grabbing'.

The adverts, emailed out to potentially thousands of supporters last week, state that fans will save 50 per cent on the Blu Skycig.

They have to enter a code – WOLVES4PREM – to take advantage and have the choice of a tobacco or menthol.

PR manager at Blu, Lindsey Wilson, said: "Our special online product offer for Wolves fans was designed for Wolves subscribers who are over 18 and our blu.co.uk website is age gated.

"We are working with Wolves to investigate the possibility that a small number of emails issued by them have reached under 18s fans.

"We have been assured that Wolves will act accordingly to rectify the situation and Blu will offer any assistance necessary."

The company signed a sponsorship deal with Wolves in 2013 and advertises at Molineux. Wolves spokesman Matt Grayson defended the adverts.

He said: "The company is a sponsor of ours so fans that opted to receive third party emails would have received one."

The chairman of the official Wolves supporters club criticised the decision to advertise e-cigs as 'money-grabbing' and said children could be influenced to take up smoking.

Albert Bates, of Wolverhampton Wanderers Official Supporters Club, said: "Shame on Wolves for this money-grabbing business decision."

"It is a pity they are unable to promote something for the benefit of every fan who supports the club.

"This will encourage people to use them at the game where young people are close by. Indeed it could encourage them to take this nasty habit up.

"The method of nicotine intake has yet to be proved not to be harmful. This is one step away before they switch to the real thing."

Any long-term dangers of smoking e-cigarettes are not yet know.

Donald McIntosh, chief officer at Wolverhampton patient group Healthwatch, said: "We would not encourage anyone to start smoking e-cigs if they don't smoke at all.

"There is a risk it may lead to people smoking normal cigarettes."

Dr Ranjit Khutan, head of public health at the University of Wolverhampton, said that e-cigarettes were undoubtedly a lot healthier than normal cigarettes.

He added: "The impact of e-cigs isn't clear. But there isn't much evidence of young people who don't smoke taking up e-cigarettes."