Navigating Life with a Roommate Who Vapes
I have a randomly assigned roommate, and we share a small 12′ by 14′ dorm room. She has confided in me about her struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, so I completely understand why she spends most of her time in the dorm outside of classes, and I don’t judge her for it.
However, our room has poor ventilation, and we can’t keep the window open due to the cold weather. My roommate vapes, and when her boyfriend stays over from Friday to Sunday night, he vapes as well. This means they both vape in the room at all hours, including during the night. As a result, there’s been a buildup of vape aerosol in the room for about seven months now.
Their vaping routine starts as soon as they wake up and continues until they go to bed, with both of them even waking up during the night to vape. Although my side of the room is about six feet away, I’m still concerned about the potential impact of continuous exposure to the aerosol in such a confined space.
I hope I’m not coming across as overly paranoid or naive.
Update (03/25/2025): I asked her and her boyfriend to stop vaping, and they agreed. However, I caught her vaping this morning when she thought I wasn’t looking. I’m planning to speak with our RA about it.
It’s completely understandable to feel concerned about the vaping situation in your dorm room, especially given the lack of ventilation. Vaping can have health risks, and the exposure to aerosol—especially in such a confined space—can be harmful, not only to the person vaping but also to anyone sharing that space. While some may consider vaping to be a “safer” alternative to smoking, it can still release harmful substances, including nicotine, formaldehyde, and ultrafine particles that can irritate the lungs.
In cramped environments like your dorm room, even occasional exposure can accumulate and impact your respiratory health and overall well-being, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions or are sensitive to environmental irritants.
It’s a good step that you’ve communicated your concerns and asked them to stop vaping. It may help to have a direct yet understanding conversation with your roommate about how the situation affects you. If this doesn’t lead to a resolution, involving your resident assistant (RA) is a wise choice. They can help mediate the situation and ensure both your needs are considered.
Remember, you’re not being naïve or paranoid; your health and comfort are valid concerns, particularly in such a small living space.