JACKSON - Last week Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law a bill that prohibits local governments from passing Bloomberg-type bans on soft drinks and sugary beverages of "super" sizes, reports CNN.

"It simply is not the role of the government to micro-regulate citizens' dietary decisions," Bryant said. "The responsibility for one's personal health depends on individual choices about a proper diet and appropriate exercise."

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi boasts the highest rate of obesity in nation, with 35% of the adult population weighing in above their suggested BMI. Bryant, meanwhile, says that childhood obesity among the state??s elementary school students had dropped 13.3% between 2005 and 2011, reports CNN.

"We believe there's enough regulation," commented state Sen. Tony Smith, author of the new law and a restaurant owner. "If the market demands that I serve a more healthy food, I'll do that to meet to the market demand."

"It doesn't prevent local government from promoting healthy foods," noted Mike Cashion, executive director of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, which lobbied for the legislation, adding, "What it does do is prevent them from creating policy mandates for the sake of consistency and uniformity."