Sharper Image Settles Breathalyzer Lawsuit

By Amy Teeple

Published on July 11, 2006

According to the lawsuit filed by Monterey County officials and the San Diego city attorney, the company's Digital Breath Alcohol Tester did not provide accurate readings "within 0.001 percent blood alcohol content," as Sharper Image had advertised. The product tests were conducted by San Diego's Consumer Protection Unit.

Although it settled the lawsuit, the retailer admitted to no wrongdoing. A Sharper Image spokesman stated that the company received no customer complaints about the product, but stopped selling the personal breathalyzer when it learned its readings were inaccurate.

Approximately 12,000 of the $100 defective devices were sold in California, and Sharper Image has agreed to give full refunds to those consumers.

Sharper Image discontinued the sale of breath alcohol tester models BT 300, BT 301 and BT 302. However, the company continues to sell the Alcohawk, another personal breathalyzer, which the company said is approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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