A SALES executive claims he was sacked on his second day for smoking in his own home.

Mark Hodges, 41, was warned the firm had a strict no-smoking policy at his interview.

But he said he was stunned when his boss sacked him from the £28,000 post after discovering he smoked in his free time.

He was told "smokers make me feel physically sick" and ordered to leave the building immediately.

Mark, who smokes 10 cigarettes a day, said: "I was sacked for smoking in my own time I was speechless.

"I fully accepted the strict no-smoking policy and had no intention of lighting up at work or in my company car.

"I even offered not to smoke for four hours before I arrived for work, but they didn't want to know.

"I am a considerate smoker I don't inflict my habit on anyone and don't even smoke in my house I go into the garden."

Mark, who has been smoking for 20 years, started work last month at Boxes and Packaging manufacturing company in Swindon.

On his first day at work Mark told the managing director's wife he smoked at home and the following day was sacked.

Mark, of Calne, claims managing director Shearer Sellars told him: "You are a smoker. This company does not employ smokers. Smokers make me feel physically sick."

He was then ordered to leave the premises with a month's pay in lieu of notice.

Mark, who now has another sales job in Swindon, added: "I am angry and astounded that I have been treated this way.

"I even offered to sign a contract to say I would not smoke four hours before starting work but he refused point blank. It is outrageous. Smokers have rights just like everyone else. He offered no explanation just that I was a smoker."

Mark now plans to sue the firm for breach of contract and is seeking legal advice.

Simon Clark, spokesman for smokers pressure group FORREST, branded Mark's treatment "absolutely outrageous".

He said: "If smokers are willing to accept a company's non-smoking policy it is disgraceful that they should be denied employment. This is Britain not Afghanistan."

Boxes and Packaging, in Dunbeath Road on the Elgin Industrial Estate, was asked to comment yesterday but did not respond.