Some things just take some getting used to. And we are such creatures of habit, aren’t we? These two principles sometimes combine to create real dilemmas for many of us. Such is the case when it comes to accepting the ban on plastic straws which was recently passed by the City Council.

The new law hasn’t even taken effect yet and already we’re hearing grumblings of “there go the good old days” and “the nanny state is at it again.” It seems a little extreme – and possibly selfish – considering the incontrovertible evidence at hand proving that plastics are doing great damage to the world’s environment, not to mention the innocent wildlife that is being tormented and slowly killed off by the choking masses of synthetic debris spread hither and yon by the thoughtless practices of mankind.

Some of the scenes are truly heartbreaking, and enough to break the habits of the most stalwart deniers among us.

And let’s face it, if this change really does make a difference – no matter how small in the greater scheme of things – then who are we to say we’re unwilling to try going along with it?

Some of us remember the older types of straws made of paper, with a bit of wax coating to stiffen them up. Ah, those were the days. How did we fare when those were replaced by the new-fangled plastic ones? Did we refuse to accept them and make a fuss? Or did we survive the ordeal and live on to fight other battles? Courage.