According to annual sales there has been an increase in the number of people that are making use of personal breathalyzers as a way of testing blood alcohol content (BAC) in themselves, friends and family members. In 2007 the breathalyzer market value was approximately $28.9 million, while in 2009 it was up to $216.3 million.

Although many law enforcement people do question accuracy in these personal breathalyzers and actually discourage using them to make any decisions pertaining to drinking and driving because they are believed to be less sophisticated than those used by police departments and an intoxicated person may not administer the test correctly, others feel it can be very useful in many situations such as parents with a zero tolerance policy pertaining to alcohol consumption with their children.

It is true that alcohol affects everyone differently but by measuring ones BAC it can be a fairly objective way of determining how much alcohol is affecting ones abilities and reflexes. Each year there are a significant number of people that die in alcohol related accidents and the percentages rise when you include first time drinkers or those being exposed to alcohol for the first time such as college freshman who may not be aware of what it feels like to be intoxicated.

Using a personal breathalyzer shows that you value drinking responsibly and by knowing your own limits you will be better able to determine your personal capacity. It can also be a good idea to have a few on hand when you are hosting a party in order to avoid having someone hurt themselves or someone else in an alcohol related accident on the way home.

Many places have already begun using these types of devices such as some bars and even school sponsored events such as dances, where the kids are tested before they are even allowed inside the event and if there is alcohol found at any time during the event everyone gets tested before they are allowed to leave as well.

The cost of a breathalyzer can be anywhere from about $4.00 for a single use disposable model to $300.00 for a good high end digital type of device, which many consider either way to be money well spent.