I may have found a real solution to the post-smoke breath problem. About three weeks ago, I encountered this product while researching tonsiloliths:
Therabreath. It looked like interesting information, but just like 290870234 other websites making incredible claims. A few days later, while waiting for my prescription to be filled, I found the mouthwash sitting on the shelf near the specialty toothpastes at Walgreens. I bought it, figuring the risk was minimal. When I tried it, I found it had the slightest hint of peppermint flavoring, but otherwise had the unique taste of an oxidizer. Using it leaves my mouth feeling clean, not like essence-of-acidified-mint Scope.
This morning, my wife commented that the stuff is really working. My breath has been completely inoffensive since I started using the stuff, and that has included a couple of trips to go smoke with my buddies. I later plan to order more of their products to see if any convey similar benefits or perhaps improvements over just using the mouthwash.
With much less success, I also tried Elimitaste gum. They have a brand called Smoke Screen about which they make the following claim:
Consumers of cigarettes and cigars, who are also typically major consumers of gums and mints, had been relying on inferior cover ups for smoking related breath issues. That is until we launched ElimiTaste SmokeScreen in 2004. SmokeScreen Insane MaxxMint is a bold, strong mint gum that helps neutralize the bad breath and after taste from smoking.
Results fell short of their claims in my testing. In fact, it did not seem to do as much as a pack of Wrigleys. If anyone wants to try the Smoke Screen gum, I'll happily send you a couple packs that I have remaining. There's just no point for me to continue using it.
I do not in any way benefit from these companies other than having tried their products (for better or worse).