This is a question I've had as well. There are those who suggest that smoking is somehow 'abusive' to the bees, and leads to more difficult interaction.
But I have to wonder how shocking and disruptive it is to spray them with sugar water as well. How often in nature to bees get soaked?
Not to get people arguing, but I do wonder - what is the 'right' method to use?
At this moment, I've only ever used smoke, and with a couple of nucs on the way, I have a smoker prepared for work. But I am open to other methods if they are more effective.