What’s a “fridge cigarette?” The new Gen Z TikTok trend stinking up the internet

Gen Z has sparked a new trend on TikTok where users are scrapping the traditional smoke break for something completely different.

TikTok creator reallyrachelreno has ignited a new trend, inspiring users to put down their ciggies and pick up a “fridge cigarette” instead.

The now-viral video captioned “time for a crispy ciggy in the summer” shows the creator cracking open a cold and presumably crisp Diet Coke.

The text within the video reads: “Overheard someone call Diet Coke a 'fridge cigarette' and nothing’s been more true to me since.”

@reallyrachelreno time for a crispy ciggy in the summer @Diet Coke #fyp #dietcoke ♬ Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift

The video has received over 3.5 million views and has sparked an online debate about sodas and cigarettes.

“McDonald's Diet Coke is a Marlboro red,” one user said, while others said that “flavored sparkling water is a fridge Nicorette.” Another user compared a Cherry Coke to Camel Crush cigs.

Interestingly, one TikTok user said that while working in a restaurant, non-smoking servers would take a “Diet Coke break,” showing that this trend might’ve been around for much longer than the TikTok trend.

“Wow, that’s so real, it just takes the edge off,” one TikTok user said about the fridge ciggie concept.

Diet Coke is just a fridge cigarette

undefined Nugs (@Nugjokes) June 12, 2025

Despite Gen Z’s seemingly health-conscious lifestyle, it’s arguable that Diet Coke and a cigarette are comparable when it comes to health risks.

But still, it apparently “takes the edge off” and is preferable to the traditional smoke break.

When will the internet nonsense stop?

It’s not uncommon for nonsensical debates to arise on social media.

In recent months, we’ve seen the rise of Italian Brainrot, where people have AI-generated images of animal and object hybrids that have adopted entire personalities and backstories.

The images are coupled with AI-generated audio of a voice saying nonsense in Italian.

Another ridiculous trend that turned into a viral debate is 100 men vs one silverback gorilla.

The viral debate discussed who would win in a fight between 100 men and a silverback gorilla.

The controversial topic originally started in 2020 but resurfaced only a few months ago.

The conversation was so popular that people generated videos simulating 100 men fighting one gorilla. The video was uploaded to YouTube and received 430,000 views.