While battling cancer, educator sneaks cigarettes

"I think what's happened is that the behavior that results from smoking isn't anti-social," he said. "If I slurred my words or staggered around or went out and held up a gas station to support my habit, then we'd see addiction centers for smokers." At Salisbury State, Dr. Bellavance works a full schedule. The news that his tumor is shrinking "seemed to give him renewed vigor," said Joseph K. Gilbert, executive vice president. Mr. Gilbert said the president's staff has tried to "keep him laughing. Humor is a release for him."

Occasionally, Dr. Bellavance joins in the humor. At a committee meeting of the university Board of Regents last month, he looked at the bald UM chancellor, Donald N. Langenberg, and said, "I really sympathize with you now. I can pick up the temperature like that."

His wife, Elizabeth, and four grown children all are nonsmokers and all have suffered with him, Dr. Bellavance said.

Dr. Bellavance looks robust.

"The rest of my body is fine," he said. "My heart's fine. My blood pressure's fine. Mayor Barry says that, except for murders, Washington has the lowest crime rate in the nation. Well, except for my cancer, I'm healthy as hell."