SEATTLE (AP) - A Washington state county has filed a lawsuit against e-cigarette maker JUUL after a dozen confirmed cases of vaping-related lung illness in the state.

KOMO-TV reports that King County’s claim accuses JUUL and its affiliates of fraud, racketeering and conspiracy while targeting children as new users of the products.

JUUL says it never designed its marketing to appeal to youth denying all allegations.

County officials say one in every four students acknowledged vaping in the last 30 days, and nine out of 10 tobacco and nicotine violations in the Seattle School District were for vaping.

Officials say the county is one of dozens filing lawsuits against the company.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are about 1,300 confirmed cases and 26 deaths related to the illness nationwide.

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Information from: KOMO-TV, http://www.komotv.com/

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