Go ahead and use the smoker, because it'll give you practice for later!..It will also make you look more proffessional!..At any rate, for what its worth.....When I get stung, I'm not using a smoker...But I always think,"Dang it...should've lit my smoker"!
I dont know how it will work for you, but for me, my smoker always works best when I'm done messing with my bees...Smoke pours out of it then!!
your friend,
john