straw
A drinking straw is a short tube used for transferring a liquid - usually a drink from one location to another (such as from a cup, to one's mouth). The earliest drinking straws were hollow stems of grass, literally made of straw.
One particular advantage of using a straw when drinking is the reduction of tooth decay. Many soft drinks have acidic properties, and using a straw reduces the liquid contact with the teeth, reducing tooth decay and the risk of cavities.
Drinking straws are, however, a form of plastic consumption when made and become a landfill item when discarded.