Advocates of vaping say it helps people stop smoking and argue their cause is a public health issue. Some studies have found that e-cigarette vapor has lower levels of toxic elements than tobacco smoke, although the Food and Drug Administration previously had said more research was needed. The FDA announced in July that it would begin an effort to encourage development of "innovative tobacco products that may be less dangerous than cigarettes," interpreted by those in the industry as a loosening stance toward e-cigarettes.