Anitpoleez breath mints: a drunk driver's best friend?

When I was a lad, stores stocked, amid the wax lips and candy cigarettes, packs of Sen-sen, small square bits of what tasted like carbon. Because of their location, we thought they were treats and bought some-- what a disappointment. Later, I realized they were intended to help drunks mask the smell of booze on their breath.

A Swedish company, in response to our growing (rightfully) crackdown on drinking and driving, has begun marketing a new breath mint under the inflammatory name of Antipoleez. The legal community, taunted by the name, is protesting loudly that the mints make it harder for cops to detect alcohol on a driver's breath.

The company's marketing does nothing to dissuade me of their intention to help drunks avoid arrest. Like Sen-sen, Antipoleez contains ingredients that absorb odors, rather than simply mask them. Not surprisingly, the mints have already gained traction in those strongholds of alcohol abuse, fraternities and sororities, casinos and sporting events.

Imho, any company that promotes products that aid drunk drivers in avoiding arrest should be forced to sit beside drunks when they face the family of loved ones they've murdered. Breathe mints don't do much to staunch tears.