In men, the rate has fallen by 27%, but it is going down less quickly for women.

Dr David Jeffs, Guernsey's Medical Officer of Health, said that was because fewer women were giving up smoking.

The island's health authorities claim that two thirds of Guernsey's smokers want to give up but cannot.

Andrew Tostevin of Quitline, said: "In the past smoking was very male dominated.

"Now it's far more equal and for some reason women seem to feel that it is something cool to do.

"The message that we are trying to get across is that there is nothing at all cool about smoking."