Samrat Chowdhery

Analysis of India’s tobacco sector exploring export volatility, agronomic constraints, pricing dynamics and policy proposals to enable a practical transition toward nicotine extraction and harm‑reduction markets, with recommendations like 'waste-to-wealth' supply chains and targeted regulatory amendments.

Analysis co-authored with Derek Yach examining the gutkha explosion in India, its public-health and policy implications, and regulatory responses.

Analysis arguing that state fiscal interests (state-owned tobacco, tax dependence) are a stronger predictor of vape bans than public-health evidence, based on a review of jurisdictions and economic incentives.

Analysis arguing that COP11 policy proposals led by high-income countries may not suit low- and middle-income countries, warning that prohibition-focused measures could expand illicit markets and calling for equitable, evidence-based support for LMICs.

Opinion piece examining limits and unintended consequences of using tobacco price elasticity as a primary policy tool, arguing taxation can fuel illicit markets and harm vulnerable populations.

Analysis of India’s 2019 e-cigarette ban (PECA), describing how prohibition has fostered a black market, foreclosed economic opportunities, and prevented harm-reduction alternatives from scaling.

Analysis of Indonesia's approach to vaping regulation, the tensions between prohibition and regulation, and implications for public health and illicit markets.

Reports on Brazil's reversal of a short-lived flight ban on vapes and the role of consumer advocacy in securing the reversal.

Essay / long‑form piece tracing the political, regulatory and market forces that led to India's 2019 ban on commercialization of ENDS and the public‑health consequences.

Analysis of India's regulatory approach to vaping and the impact on research, media and consumer access (Filter).

Explores how modern oral nicotine products could replace deadly smokeless tobacco in India and the potential public-health and regulatory challenges.

Investigates how a major Bloomberg Philanthropies funding initiative could influence vape policy and potentially spread prohibitionist approaches in low- and middle-income countries.

Analyzes proposed legislation in Taiwan to ban nicotine vaping, the motivations behind it, and potential public-health consequences.

Describes the rapid rise of nicotine pouches in Pakistan and their potential to offer lower-risk alternatives to traditional smokeless tobacco.

Examines the Philippines' regulatory approach to vaping and how its law could serve as a pragmatic model for other Asian countries.

Article examining the potential and challenges for tobacco harm reduction among low‑income populations in India (Filter / earlier pieces).

Roundup of expert perspectives on what the Biden administration could do to support or hinder tobacco harm reduction in the United States.

Argues that India is a critical battleground for tobacco harm reduction and outlines the policy challenges and opportunities there.

Opinion arguing that the Tamil Nadu ban on e-cigarettes removes safer alternatives and harms public health.

Opinion piece arguing for differential taxation and policy treatment for lower-risk nicotine products, drawing comparisons with other regulated industries.

Interview/feature discussing the state of vaping in India in 2016 and expectations for growth and industry developments in 2017.

Report on how conflicting sources and edit wars on Wikipedia led to confusion over Ajmal Kasab's date of birth during the Mumbai blasts coverage.

Book review discussing Jagat S Mehta's critique of India's Non-Aligned Movement and its foreign-policy consequences.