Scientists say the potent cocktail of chemicals in cigarettes is particularly harmful to developing liver cells and affects male and female fetuses differently. The stem cell technique will provide important information about the long-term effects of maternal cigarette smoking. The liver is vital in clearing toxic substances and plays a major role in regulating metabolism. Smoking cigarettes — which contain around 7000 chemicals — can damage fetal organs and may do lasting harm. The study showed that a chemical cocktail — similar to that found in cigarettes — harmed fetal liver health more than individual components.
— source ed.ac.uk