It's often the most convenient form of breathe odor control available.
I keep a pack of gum in my car at all times just in case I have a drink socializing somewhere. Having alcoholic beverages on your breath when you get pulled over for something unrelated can make the experience far more annoying, unnecessarily.
No idea if it's true but I've heard a lot of mints have alcohols in them which could skew breathalyzer tests if you have one in your mouth a few minutes before.
