In all advertisements, any notices of the proceedings in the probate court for the sale of land for taxes and of such sales and all entries required to be made by the probate judge, tax collector or other officer, initial letters, abbreviations and figures may be used to indicate townships, ranges, sections, parts of sections, blocks and lots and dates and amounts; and, in estimating the cost of publication, each amount, date or number and each initial letter or abbreviation shall be counted as a word. In all advertisements for the sale of real estate, the notice shall state the precinct in which the property is situated, except in those counties where the tax assessor is not required to list the property by precincts; provided, that nothing herein contained shall in anywise affect the collection of any taxes now due the state or any county therein or operate to abate or discontinue any suit or action of any character instituted or begun for the collection thereof.