The Tobacco Habit from a Financial Standpoint

The Tobacco Habit from a Financial Viewpoint

By Frank W. Harris

Much has been said of the evil effects of tobacco upon the human system, both mentally and physically. I desire to point out to the young men of the Church, who refrain from the use of tobacco, just what will be their most probable saving in dol- lars and cents, over and above that of the boys who acquire the habit. Few boys will spend ten cents per day for tobacco when firstbeginning the habit, but I am acquainted with men who spend two, three, and even four times that amount per day. Hence, I feel sure that users of tobacco will spend an average of ten cents per day from the time they begin to the age of fifty and upward. Figuring thus, a man would spend $36.50 per year. If he begins at the age of fifteen, at the age of sixty, cov- ering a period of forty-five years, he will have spent $1,642.50. Thus the boy who stands aloof from the use of tobacco, is $36.50 farther ahead financially each year than the boy who uses it. If he places this amount in the bank on a savings account, at four per cent interest, computed semi-annually, at the end of the forty-five year period, this yearly deposit of $36.50 and ac- cumulated interest thereon, will have amounted to $4,465.35; a handsome little amount for any man to have in his old age, and an easy way of getting it. I am sure it would also add cheer in his declining years to realize and appreciate its being the fruit of his own efforts and will-power. I am much interested in the success of young men and their welfare in the Church. I trust the M. I. A. slogan, "We stand for the Non-use and Non- sale of Tobacco" will be a power for good in the lives of all, as it has been in mine. I have three excellent young sons and have decided to place to their credit in the bank, $36.50, as an M..I. A. slogan fund, at the end of each year, so long as they refrain from the use of tobacco, and while they are living with me. When they are of age, and go out on their own resources, they will no doubt be interested enough and strong enough to go on adding to the fund each year in the way I have started them. Grace, Idaho