There are countless myths about how to “beat” a breathalyzer. The reality? They do not work. Modern devices, like those used in ignition interlock programs, are highly accurate, regularly calibrated, and designed to detect alcohol in your system no matter what shortcuts people try.

Here are 10 of the most common myths and the truth behind them:

Busted. Many types of mouthwash and sprays actually contain alcohol, sometimes in higher concentrations than beer or wine. Using them right before a test can trigger an immediate fail. Even alcohol-free versions cannot hide alcohol because a breathalyzer measures deep-lung air, not just what is in your mouth. Once alcohol is in your bloodstream, your breath will show it, no matter how minty fresh you smell.

Busted. These only mask odor and taste. Breathalyzers are not designed to detect smell, they are designed to detect ethanol molecules in the breath you exhale from your lungs. Gum, candy, or coffee may trick a person sitting next to you, but they cannot trick a highly sensitive, calibrated device.

Busted. This old myth suggests that the copper in a coin can neutralize alcohol. First, pennies are mostly zinc, not copper. Second, even if they were solid copper, holding one in your mouth would not change the chemical makeup of your breath. Interlock devices are engineered to measure ethanol coming from deep in your lungs, not the surface of your tongue. A penny does nothing but taste unpleasant.

Busted. Hydration does not equal sobriety. Drinking water or coffee may help with dehydration or alertness, but neither can remove alcohol from your bloodstream. Your liver is responsible for breaking down alcohol, and it does so at a steady, predictable rate of about one standard drink per hour. No amount of water or coffee can speed that up.

Busted. A shock of cold water might wake you up, and a jog around the block may get your blood pumping, but your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) stays the same. Physical activity and cold exposure do not affect how quickly your liver processes alcohol. That means you will still fail a breathalyzer if your BAC is above the limit, no matter how “awake” you feel.

Busted. Some people think hyperventilating, holding their breath, or blowing lightly can change their results. This does not work. Ignition interlock devices are designed to detect whether the sample is valid, and they specifically measure deep-lung air, which reflects actual blood alcohol content. Blowing incorrectly can actually result in a failed or incomplete test, which may be reported as a violation.

Busted. Food in your stomach can slow the absorption of alcohol if eaten before or while drinking, but once alcohol is in your bloodstream, eating after the fact makes no difference. Bread or greasy food cannot “soak up” alcohol or lower your BAC. The alcohol has already circulated through your body, and only time will reduce it.

Busted. Strips and sprays only cover up odors temporarily. Some breath fresheners also contain alcohol, which could cause a higher reading rather than a lower one. The device measures ethanol molecules, not scents, so a minty cover-up is useless.

Busted. In most states, refusing a breathalyzer comes with automatic penalties. These can include immediate license suspension, longer ignition interlock requirements, additional fines, or even jail time. Refusing often leads to harsher consequences than simply complying, regardless of the result. Ignition interlock devices also record refusals, which are treated the same as violations.

Busted. Home remedies like vinegar, lemon juice, herbal teas, or even bizarre concoctions sometimes get passed around as “detox tricks.” None of them affect how alcohol is metabolized in your body. At best, they change the taste in your mouth. At worst, they irritate your stomach and still result in a failed test.

When you drink alcohol, your body doesn’t instantly process it. Instead, your liver works at a steady pace, breaking down about one standard drink per hour. This rate can vary slightly based on body weight, sex, and metabolism, but the key point is this: it cannot be rushed.

The only reliable way to pass a breathalyzer is with 3 simple steps: 

1. Rinse your mouth with water before every test
2. Do not eat or drink anything but water 15 minutes before a test
3. Do not drink alcohol

Alcohol leaves your system gradually, and no quick fix can change that. The only true way to pass a breathalyzer is to wait until your body has fully metabolized the alcohol.

For ignition interlock users, staying compliant means:

• Avoiding products that contain hidden alcohol such as mouthwash, cough syrups, or kombucha

• Carefully following device instructions every time

• Allowing enough time after drinking before attempting to drive

Breathalyzer myths have been around for decades, but none of them work against modern, highly accurate devices like those used by Smart Start Wisconsin. If you are required to use an ignition interlock or portable breathalyzer, remember this: the only way to pass is to stay alcohol-free.