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Time of India
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
What is 'Fridge cigarette'? Inside the viral TikTok trend and Gen Z's Diet Coke obsession (and its health risks)
Picture this: you're in the middle of a Zoom marathon or drowning in tied-up emails, your brain begging for five minutes of calm. You open the fridge, pull out a chilled Diet Coke, crack it open, feel the fizz on your tongue – and just like that, you've had a 'fridge cigarette. ' In the midst of Zoom fatigue, endless deadlines, and life in fast-forward, a new ritual has emerged: the 'fridge cigarette.' Not a cigarette at all, but that cold crack-and-sip moment when you crack open a Diet Coke straight from the fridge. No smoke, no guilt, just that crisp ritual of pop you didn't know you needed. TikTok's Gen Z has turned this fizzy moment into a cultural wink – a mini smoke break with zero nicotine and full aesthetic energy. 'Tis Gen Z's latest obsession – a tongue-in-cheek break that's half nostalgia, half self-care, and fully TikTok-viral. It's not just fizzy drink culture – it's a symbolic pause in a fast-paced digital life. But just the part of omitting nicotine – does it help health-wise at all? Let's unpack. What's a Fridge Cigarette ? The term 'fridge cigarette' originated on TikTok, popularized by creator @reallyrachelreno, whose June video comparing cracking open a Diet Coke to lighting a cigarette went viral with near about 4M views. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Villa Luzuriaga (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo What she captured was a moment: the hiss, the fizz, the pause – and that psychological hit. It's not about substances; it's emotional. On TikTok, fridge-cig posts feature ASMR-worthy fizz, minimalist setups, moody lighting, and captions like 'time for a crispy ciggy.' One user described it as 'main‑character energy' – a daily starring moment in everyday life. The ritual resonates because it blends irony, self-care, and aesthetic performance in a few crisp seconds. Gen Z reveres this ritual as a purposeful break from digital overload, recasting a smoke break into something healthier.. well, healthier-ish. Why Diet Coke? Diet Coke provides the quintessential chill experience: fizzy, caffeinated, calorie-free, and effortlessly cool. Users on TikTok have even playfully mapped Coke variants to cig brands – Diet Coke as Parliaments, Coke Zero as American Spirits, regular Coke as Marlboro Reds, full-fat glass-bottle Coke as a cigar. Interestingly, Coca‑Cola didn't engineer this trend—it happened organically. Their marketing simply delivered delicious taste, and TikTok reshaped it into a cultural phenomenon. Health trade‑offs: Less harm, but not harmless No nicotine? Does that imply no health hazards at all? Well, that's not true. Acidic erosion: Diet Coke has a pH of around 2.7–3.0, thanks to phosphoric and citric acids – enough to weaken enamel below the critical 4.0 level. Studies show that frequent soda exposure roughens enamel and accelerates erosion – punctual exposure may be manageable, but repeated sipping overwhelms saliva's restorative ability. Artificial sweeteners: Though sugar-free, Diet Coke relies on aspartame and acesulfame K. WHO now labels aspartame 'possibly carcinogenic,' and studies link diet sodas with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and gut disruption. Dental and chemical concerns: Yes, it's a vast improvement from tobacco, but Diet Coke isn't innocent. Experts warn that its acidity can erode enamel and artificial sweeteners like aspartame may be linked to long-term health issues such as stroke, heart disease, and metabolic disruptions. Caffeine and bloating: Caffeine can cause jitters, disrupted sleep, and mild dehydration, while carbonation leads to bloating and digestive discomfort. Most professionals advise treating fridge cigarettes as occasional reminders, not all-day habits. Sip with water, use a straw, and maybe rotate in non-sweet beverages and mindful breaks. The final sip: A balanced act Yes – 'fridge cigarettes' offer Gen Z a clever, safer stand-in for old-school smoke breaks. But they come with real risks: enamel erosion, enamel weakening, artificial sweetener exposure, and caffeine side effects. It's one thing to enjoy the fizz and take a moment; it's another to sip mindlessly all day. So, what's the bottom line? Enjoy the crack and fizz, but make it intentional. A mindful fridge cigarette – sipped fast, chased with water, spaced out through the day – is a fun ritual. But replace it regularly with water, tea, or gum to safeguard your health. After all, you can pause without damaging your smile – or your wellness.
Fast Company
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
What is a fridge cigarette? The viral Diet Coke trend explained
It hits at a certain time in the afternoon, when a familiar craving strikes. You walk to the kitchen. The satisfying sound of a can cracking, the hiss of bubbles. It's time for a 'fridge cigarette'—or as you might know it, a can of Diet Coke. Earlier this week, TikTok user @reallyrachelreno posted: 'Overheard someone call Diet Coke a 'fridge cigarette' and nothing's been more true to me since.' The video, which has since been viewed 3.5 million times, shows her cracking open a cold one in the sun. The caption: 'Time for a crispy ciggy in the summer.' (ICYMI: The term 'crispy' is used to describe a Diet Coke chilled to perfection—bonus points if served with pebbled ice and a lemon wedge.) For many, the comparison is spot-on. 'Wow, that's so real. It just takes the edge off,' one person commented. 'I gauge how hard my day is to determine if I get a little fridge cigarette,' another added. In a follow-up video, @reallyrachelreno cleared up a few things based on the comments. According to her analysis: Diet Coke equals Parliaments, regular Coke equals Marlboro Reds, and Coke Zero equals American Spirits. Any other diet soda equals menthol (disparaging). Full-fat Coke in a glass bottle? That's a cigar. In recent years, Diet Coke has made a noticeable comeback. Gen Z's version of the smoke break is the ' Diet Coke break.' On TikTok, Diet Coke ' recipes ' go viral. 'Gen Z is obsessed with Diet Coke,' Snaxshot writer Andrea Hernández noted in a recent newsletter. 'What is now being dubbed as 'fridge cigarettes' has earned a cultural cachet without Coca-Cola having to do anything . . . but focus on delivering on taste and product.' According to Hernández, Coca-Cola has held onto its position as the number one soda in the U.S. by tapping into nostalgia. After all, what captures the sweet nostalgia of summer better than a crisp can of Diet Coke in the sun? Alongside the rise of the 'fridge cigarette,' actual cigarettes have also crept back into pop culture, as The New York Times reported. In her hit single ' Headphones On,' Addison Rae sings: 'Guess I gotta accept the pain / Need a cigarette to make me feel better.' In 'What Was That,' Lorde recalls: 'I remember saying then, 'This is the best cigarette of my life' / Well, I want you just like that.' It's a sign of the times. Clean Girl is out. Cigarettes are cool again. And in a world full of prebiotic soda and protein water, sometimes all you really want is a crispy 'fridge cigarette' to take the edge off.
