WELLINGTON -- Janice Pou, a 51-year-old New Zealand mother of two with terminal lung cancer, is suing two tobacco companies in the country's first case of its kind, it was reported on Sunday.

Pou had been addicted to smoking since 1968, according to a suit filed against British American Tobacco (BAT) and WD & HO Willis, two companies which have dominated New Zealand's cigarette market for 40 years, the **** Sunday Star-Times **** reported.

Health Minister Annette King was quoted by DPA as saying it was a test case, the newspaper reported.

The illness killing Pou, from the south island city of Invercargill, was diagnosed last year, and she is claiming negligence by the companies, her solicitor John French said.

"It is based on the allegation that the defendants' conduct in manufacturing, supplying and advertising cigarettes led to her becoming addicted and she contracted lung cancer as a result," he said.

She is claiming about 330,000 New Zealand dollars (about 158,400 U.S. dollars) which French said: "On the cases of personal injury claims we have had in New Zealand that seems to be a realistic amount to claim." He said Pou was applying for legal aid funds from the government to fight her claim and Trish Fraser, executive director of the anti-smoking lobby group ASH, said it would be a landmark case for New Zealand.