Over the next 30 years or so, Guernsey’s Adolescent Smokefree Project wants to persuade the remaining rump of smokers – rather less than 20% of the population – to give up and make the island smoke-free by 2040.

On the face of it, it is a challenging target. Gasp has been particularly effective and few could have predicted in its early days just how successful a force for changing attitudes it would ultimately prove. So it is likely that those still with the habit are hardcore devotees, impervious to all campaigns.

Time, of course, is on the side of Gasp. Smokers, statistically, have a reduced life expectancy so the charity’s push will focus on preventing new generations from starting using tobacco.

It is encouraging, too, that Gasp’s chairman acknowledges coercion is unhelpful and that changing habits and attitudes should be voluntary.

He did say, however, that this latest phase of the anti-smoking drive would be a mix of legislation and education.

Gasp is to be congratulated on its outstanding achievements over the years in helping people to lead healthier lives and its latest campaign is achievable.

However, it should tread carefully over how much further compulsion is used to stop people doing something that is legal and expected to raise £7.6m. in revenues this year.

Smokers have been marginalised sufficiently and suggestions that there should be further restrictions on outdoor use of tobacco are in danger of being seen as vindictive.

Banning people from smoking in vehicles with children as passengers is a logical, anti-passive smoking step. But stopping people lighting up outside a pub is not, especially given that they are puffing on a government-authorised and regulated substance where the core problem is the product itself rather than how it is used.

Gasp’s smoke-free campaign deserves  support and every success – and to be advanced with care.

There is a fine balance to be struck between penalising a minority of islanders for their own good and hounding them for using a permitted, tax-raising product.