In the Gambia, many people enjoy taba, a powdered tobacco product, by smoking or snuffing or chewing it. However, it is increasingly being mixed with potent chemicals and used intravaginally by women seeking sexual enhancement or relief from health issues. Though it is not illegal, health professionals warn of serious risks, including infections, tissue damage, and even cancer. Stories of extreme pain, bleeding, and near-death experiences are surfacing, yet some users and sellers deny its dangers. While some women claim medicinal benefits, many suffer silently due to stigma and fear. The ministry of health and women's rights groups are actively campaigning to raise awareness, with public warnings from medical professionals and videos from government officials. Doctors say taba’s harmful effects could include long-term reproductive damage and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Gambia: dangers of using taba for sexual pleasure
Written by David Fletcher 27 Mar 2025
Additional Info
- Pray: that truth and courage will prevail over harmful cultural health practices. (Hosea 4:6a)
- More: www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/3/19/i-nearly-died-taba-the-tobacco-drug-the-gambian-women-share-in-secret
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