A newly introduced bill in California will prevent waiters from handing out unsolicited straws with drinks. The bill would require waiters to only hand out straws if a customer drinking a beverage asks for one. If a waiter serves a drink with an unrequested straw, they could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Democratic majority leader, Ian Calderon, who proposed the bill, wants to “create awareness around the issue of one-time use plastic straws and its detrimental effects on [their] landfills.” The law seems to be gaining approval.
The Los Angeles Times even got behind the movement and also pointed out “repetitive sucking may cause wrinkles.” California cities San Luis Obispo and Davis already passed straws-on-request laws last year. The actual number of straws being used is unclear, however its estimated that 500 million straws are used a day. Calderon may be on to something.
Source: Reason