27/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The MEP Peter Liese (CDU) stated in a press release that he admires the Italian Health Minister, Professor Sirchia, for refusing to pass the law on banning smoking in enclosed areas. With a few modifications, the law could be an example to Germany, said Mr Liese, a doctor, who believes that the European Parliament should apply its own rules on smoking bans more strictly. Pointing out that the EP's committee on health had called for the ban on smoking in enclosed areas to be brought in throughout the EU, Mr Liese said that Europe should respect the principle of subsidiarity and cannot do everything itself, but we should do more to protect passive smokers, and especially children.