Red Cross says it receives no benefit from breathalyzer machines

The Canadian Red Cross is advising patrons of Saint John bars and taverns that breathalyzer machines do not benefit the charity as advertised.

Signs on the machines indicate that proceeds will be donated to local charities, specifically "the local Red Cross mission."

But the Canadian Red Cross says it has no connection to pubs and taverns that have the breathalyzer-type machines available.

The wall-mounted devices offer a breath analysis for a twoonie.

The machines aren't owned or maintained by the bars where they are installed and are different from the hand-held devices used by police.

The Canadian Red Cross has contacted the machines' provider.

A representative says they were told $150 was given to the charity, but officials with the Red Cross say that donation has yet to be confirmed.

The Red Cross says the machine provider said he would remove the advertisements that connected the machines with the charity.