Yeah, while I can agree that plastic straws weren't the worst offender for gestures around, I still think reducing that plastic use was a good thing and have noticed it takes more than hours for a paper straw to lose structure, though even then it doesn't stop being a straw unless you bend it.
Though I think the claims that they are also filled with plastics are plausible. I use metal straws at home but maybe it's time to start carrying some in the car for use with takeout.