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Background: The aim of this study was to assess resistance artery function in short-term chronic cigarette smokers and non-smoking control subjects. Methods: Reactive hyperemia was assessed in 19 cigarette smokers (age 23±1 years) and 19 non-smokers (age 23±1 years). Results: Cigarette smokers demonstrated a 23% lower peak forearm blood flow response compared with non-smokers (15.81±0.66 vs. 20.58±1.26mL/min/100mL, p<0.05) and a 22% lower area under the curve of the reactive hyperemia response (607±51.57 vs. 775±53.51mL/min/100mL×3min, p<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that smoking-induced impairments of vascular function occur early after the initiation of chronic cigarette smoking.