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Police & Critics Say Anti-Poleez Breath Mints Stink

5/2/08

A controversial new breath mint is on the market. It's called Anti-Poleez, and its makers claim it can eliminate the smell of alcohol on your breath, but police think the product stinks. They say it targets young people, encourages underage drinking and drinking and driving.

"I think someone will make money with this product, but I don't know if maybe it's the best idea," said SDSU student, Rosie.

Some San Diego State University students are talking about a new and controversial breath mint.

The Swiss made Anti-Poleez mints claim to hide the smell of alcohol, tobacco and food odors.

When News 8 contacted SDPD for reaction, they hadn't heard about Anti-Poleez.

"We definitely want to take a look at this. So, we're going to go in and to an alcohol study in a controlled environment," said Mark McCullough with the SDPD's Traffic Division.

McCullogh says the test will be done on San Diego police officers.

The mints are sold at liquor stores and convenience stores especially around college campuses.

There's been criticism about the product sending a mixed message about drinking and driving and underage drinking.

Although the Anti-Poleez message is don't drink and drive, police and Mother's Against Drunk Driving are concerned about the product's advertising message.

"You think this is going to get you out of a very sad statement," said Pat Hodgkin the Executive Director, MADD.

"The advertising, the scantily-clad female police officer with a name like Anti-Poleez and it covers up the odor of alcohol. They're really targeting younger people," explained McCullough.

Drucker, like many others say:

"I don't think one or two beers necessarily affects the way your driving, being 20 versus 21 doesn't make that much of a difference. So, if these will keep you out of jail, I say keep on in your pocket at all times," said Marc Drucker a student at SDSU.

But that's not how the San Diego Police Department sees it.

"Thinking by just taking some of these, I won't get arrested...that's not going to happen," continued McCullough.

Law enforcement agencies around the county use sobriety checkpoints to get drunk drivers off the roads. A spokesperson for Anti-Poleez tells News 8 these breath mints will do nothing to help people pass a breathalyzer test.

"This is not going to mask alcohol, if you are over the limit," noted Hodgkin.

Officer McCullogh says, police are able to determine if someone is legally drunk through a sobriety test.

Now, it's time to put Anti-Poleez to the test taste.

The mints contain a mixture of sweeteners and ammonium chloride.

"They taste okay, and like I said, it may not get you out of an arrest, but if you do get arrested you might have some fun in jail cause it gives you really fresh breath," said McCullough.

News 8 cameras will be there when San Diego Police test the Anti-Poleez breath mints.

Off-duty officers will drink some alcohol and then be given some Anti-Poleez mints.

The San Diego Police Department wants to make sure the mints are not interfering with any of its breath testing equipment.

San Diego DUI lawyers do not need a mint defense to show the many frequent shortcomings of San Diego DUI police enforcement allegations. www.sandiegodrunkdrivingattorney.net/why