[Editor's note: Reuters -- one of the wire services which originally carried this story -- now says it is a hoax.]

A small German telemarketing company has given das boot to three non-smoking employees after they raised a  stink about indoor smoking.

Thomas Jensen, the head of a 10-person firm in the northern Germany city of Buesum, calls the fired workers “grumblers.”

“Smokers have always been our best employees,” Jensen told reporters. “Non-smokers interfere with corporate peace.”

The three dismissed employees had lobbied for a smoke-free work environment. While tough anti-smoking laws went into effect in Germany January 1st, small businesses are exempt. Rather than meeting the non-smokers’ request, Jensen simply fired them.

“Everyone picks on smokers these days,” reason Jensen. “It’s time for revenge. I’m only going to hire smokers from now on.”

The terminated workers are planning to sue.

Link: Ananova