Liv Bridge
A new trend has emerged dubbed the 'fridge cigarette' among Gen Z who are presenting a new habit to the old smoke break.
Smoking tobacco in the US is fortunately at a record low of around 11 percent, according to a Gallup poll last year, and is even less popular among young Americans.
Perhaps driven by recent education into the potent side effects brought on by smoking cigarettes, with a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, type 2 diabetes and countless more, just six percent of US citizens under 30 admit to participating in the bad habit, according to Tobacco Reporter.
Though that's not to say they're the most health conscientious generation out of the lot, as Gen Z are more likely to indulge in vaping, which likewise usually involves nicotine and has other adverse health risks.
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However, in hopes that they're ditching smoking products for good and taking on a new meaning of the phrase 'cig break', a new vice is taking social media by storm which is seeing youngsters reach for a so-called 'fridge cigarette' instead, which thankfully contains zero nicotine.
According to dozens of users on TikTok, a 'fridge smoke' is actually an ice cold can of diet coca-cola that they say is to be enjoyed straight from the fridge and drunk in the same ritual as an old fashioned cig break.
"Overheard someone call Diet Coke a 'fridge cigarette' and nothing's been more true to me since," said one user on TikTok who revealed they were enjoying a 'crispy ciggy in the summer.'
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Another who said she doesn't smoke said she heard of the trend comparing a can of coke to a fridge cigarette and found it 'genius'.
"I've never related to anything more in my life," she stated.
The TikToker also explained how it's about creating a moment to enjoy the drink and break up the day.
"Like it hits a certain point of the day, not every day, but sometimes and I go, 'It's time'," she continued.
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"Like let me sit down and make a moment of this, and I go to the fridge and I open it and it's like a whole ritual experience."
Others chimed in the comments that they couldn't agree more with the idea, as one wrote: "Wow that's so real it just takes the edge off."
Another penned: "When I seen this post it spoke to me spiritually."
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"Or when you have the slightest inconvenience in the day, 'oh I need a full fat coke'," said a third.
Dozens more joked that some certain drinks 'hit different' depending on how it's served, much like a luxury brand of cigarettes.
"Mcd [McDonald's] Diet Coke is a Marlboro Red," another explained, to which others agreed the fast-food chain serves up the best cold coke.
"McDonald's Diet Coke hit different!!" penned another.
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"Flavored sparkling water is fridge nicorette," a third jibed, making a link between quitting fizzy pop with substitutes to smokers giving up with the help of nicotine replacement therapy products.
Coca-Cola is also apparently happy with the new buzz, telling The Sun its drinks are 'perfectly safe and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle'.
However, dentists warn the carbonated drinks, even diet versions with artificial sweeteners, still aren't exactly great when it comes to our teeth - and research suggests sugar substitutes have an associated risk of stroke and heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Still, a fridge ciggie poses a lot fewer health risks as opposed to a tobacco product!