there is a smell, but it's not smokey and goes away quickly. you dont smell like smoke at all, but where u blow the vapor smells for a little while, but nothing like smoke. dont buy a cheap vap. i had a cheap soldering iron one and it never worked. i got the best one out there - volcano - and it does work great. you use less weed, have a "cleaner" high, and i think you can stay high longer. i never beleived these claims till i got the volcano.