As a fire prevention officer, it helps to have a bylaw against smoking on your side.

Since the city's non-smoking bylaw was passed last August, there have been fewer fires to put out. This has Andre Vermette, Ottawa's assistant chief of fire prevention, extremely pleased.

"Since the non-smoking bylaw, it's been easier to prevent fires and as a result there have not been nearly as many fires in restaurants and hotels," said Vermette.

He also believes there will be fewer fires not just in Canada, but also in the U.S,. and credits smoking bans and public education.

Vermette was relieved when Ottawa's smoking ban passed because he knew it would help the city's fire prevention team. He said there aren't as many accidents when people smoke outdoors because cigarettes are extinguished properly. Indoors, there's a greater threat of something catching on fire.

"It's always a challenge getting people to understand the dangers of fires and that they can occur in any building," Vermette said. "So it helps if people aren't allowed to smoke inside a building." --

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