I have a confession: I'm a smoker – one of those dreadful pariahs who stands outside polluting your air. I know it is filthy, I know what I am doing to my health and I know all the arguments against smoking. Yet to me, it still feels like my last act of rebellion, and you know what? I actually like smoking. And until I feel differently, I am unlikely to stop.

I have become inured to the messages on the outside of cigarette packages. I know smoking may kill me, I know not to do it while pregnant and I certainly know not to do it around children. The graphic images on packs no longer faze me – in fact, I am not sure they ever did.

Being oblivious to anti-smoking messages, I nearly crumpled up the card I found inside my most recent pack of Marlboros, but an image caught my eye. Having now had four different ones, they, in summary, tell me that I am overtaxed; that the smoking ban leaves me out in the cold; that plain packaging puts me at risk of counterfeit cigarettes (which apparently may be "harmful"); and each asks whether it is time to say "enough is enough". They urge me to "know the issues and take action", giving a web address. Curiosity piqued, I went to the site advertised on the cards.

Essentially, the site is an attempt at "smokers united". It tells you all the things the big bad government is trying to do to stop you enjoying your habit, and urges you to make sure government decision-makers know "our" side of the story.

"Our"? I might be a smoker, but I am grown up enough to know that is it a pretty stupid and damaging habit to have, not to mention expensive. Perhaps I am an unusual smoker, but I agree with the ban in pubs and restaurants. I agree with it on public transport and I agree with it elsewhere. I have no issue with the tax I pay on a packet, and no issue that cigarettes are becoming more costly, and that the expense apparently makes many people at least consider giving up.

I do, however, object to Philip Morris essentially using my purchase to direct-market to me in the hope I will do its political legwork for it and nag my MP about my "rights". First, if Philip Morris wishes to lobby "government decision-makers", then it can do it itself.

Second, I don't believe that in choosing to do something harmful not only to myself, but also to those who happen to be around me, that I have many rights while I am doing it.

Third, the arguments are contradictory. On one hand, Philip Morris tells me that I pay too much tax, in that it makes up 75% of the cost of my purchase. However, in its argument against plain packaging, it states that one of the risks of unbranded packs is that it makes it easier for counterfeiters to produce black-market products, which will cause losses in tax revenue.

However, judging by some of the messages left on the site, it seems Philip Morris has hit at least some of its target. For me? I think Philip Morris has just found the thing that may well make me consider giving up.