My understanding is that they do not allow "regular" straws in AK because they blow around and are a potential danger to the animals. By regular, I mean the type of straws that are plastic that come out of the straw dispenser. In AK, they are made of paper because after being wet for a while they will simply fall apart and are no longer a danger to the animals.
The type of straw you are referring to (I believe) is the hard plastic, maybe corrugated, bendable type straw that is attached in the cup. They are not disposable and would not just fall out of the cup or blow away. Hence, they pose no threat to the animals/birds.
Lynda