Advantages for a straw:
Keeps things tidy in a car. Very hard to drink anything in the car without one.
Keeps your lipstick in shape.
Kids make much less mess with one. Same with anyone disabled in that way.
It does reduce sugar exposure on your teeth.
Spares you pain if you have sensitive teeth.
Lots of good reasons to use straws. Imo the permanent ones are not very sanitary (yes I have a dishwasher but it doesn’t derail like that! I’d need to use a tiny pipe cleaner!)
“Keeps things tidy in a car.”
That was my first thought. Eating in the car with kids. Started in the 40’s or 50’s? No car seats. No seatbelts. Covered cups with straws...Logical solution.