— By a vote of 37-9 Monday night, the state Senate approved House Bill 683, banning local governments from restricting sales of large soft drinks.

The "Commonsense Consumption Bill," which is model legislation from pro-business group ALEC, also prohibits lawsuits against food and drink makers or vendors for obesity or obesity-related illnesses caused by consumption of their products.

"This bill injects some much needed common sense and personal responsibility into the law," said Sen. Tamara Barringer, R-Wake.

No such soft-drink restrictions have been proposed in North Carolina, and the bill's sponsor said he did not know of any obesity-related lawsuits filed in the state, either. But proponents of the bill say they're happening in other states.

There was no floor debate on the measure, which also passed its final Senate vote and is now headed back to the House for concurrence.