Should plastic straws be banned?

Banning plastic straws as a means to reduce pollution has become an unexpected flashpoint of political debate in recent years. Cities like San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C., have already prohibited their use, and several companies — including Disney, Starbucks and American Airlines — have announced plans to stop using them as well. Supporters of straw bans say they are a simple step that can help reduce the massive amount of plastic waste in our oceans that is harmful to marine life.