A quiet but alarming health issue is now under the microscope in The Gambia, as researchers from the Medical Research Council Unit (MRCG) uncover the risks tied to an unconventional practice among some Gambian women—using tobacco intravaginally.
Locally known as taba, the powdered tobacco is often mixed with substances like baobab ash, shea butter, caustic soda, or even cannabis. It’s typically inserted into the vagina, with users believing it can treat infections, improve sexual satisfaction, ease childbirth, and even address conditions like asthma, infertility, or high blood pressure.
The practice, while widespread, has gone largely unstudied—until now. In 2024, MRCG launched the first scientific investigation into the sociocultural reasons behind taba use, and the chemical dangers hidden within the mixtures.
Early findings are troubling. Many of the ingredients found in taba are harmful, and researchers warn the practice could lead to cancer, life-threatening childbirth complications, and severe toxic reactions. What’s more, these mixtures are often sold as “traditional medicine,” misleading many women about their safety.
Dr. Bai Cham, the study’s lead investigator, says the goal is to shine a light on a health risk that has long been kept in the shadows. “We’re not just looking at the chemistry—we’re trying to understand why women turn to this practice, and how we can offer safer alternatives,” he said.
The project, supported by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, is set to conclude in December 2025. In the meantime, its early insights are already being used by local organizations like the Mothers Health Foundation to educate communities and steer women away from harmful practices.
Health officials are now urging women to abandon taba use and seek proven, safer medical treatments. The Ministry of Health and local NGOs are also stepping up awareness campaigns to protect women’s health across the country.
This research is not only relevant to The Gambia. Similar practices have been reported in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, yet little scientific attention has been given—until now.
