One of the benefits of having a Medical Officer of Health whose annual report is independent of political process is that he or she is able to take an analytical and objective look at what is affecting the well-being of islanders and make recommendations accordingly.

In his first official publication, Dr Stephen Bridgman, who is also the island’s director of public health, has highlighted a number of areas and made suggestions that will not be welcome in certain areas.

The first is that Guernsey should consider further restrictions on smokers. The effects of passive smoking are so significant that there is a good case for preventing ‘outside’ consumption, particularly in restricted areas outside pubs and clubs.

The second is that 14-year-olds should be stopped from riding motorbikes because their youth puts them at serious risk of a potentially life-threatening accident.

At that age, 87 needed emergency hospital treatment over the 11 years to 2008 – but that figure fell to 38 at 16 and just 18 at the age of 18. The statistics speak for themselves. But whether dealers, island youngsters and parents, who see two wheels as an antidote to Mum’s Taxi, are prepared to accept restricting access to, say, 16-year-olds is questionable.

Similarly with the marketing of high energy dense foods. What once helped you to work, rest and play is today – along with its other massively calorific snack stablemates – a contributor to what is a worrying and increasing island problem of obesity and consequent health problems.

Helping individuals to remain healthy is an underlying theme throughout the report, which is why it recommends ending duty-free alcohol sales and suggests Aurigny, as a States-owned airline, should stop selling tobacco products. Government should practise what it preaches, after all.

While some will criticise what they see as nanny stateism  in this approach, what Guernsey’s top medic is doing is setting out the health picture as he, the statistics and the facts dictate.

What happens next is down to individuals and the legislators – but at least there can be an informed debate on the fundamental issues that affect this community.