As first suggested by GLI on the ASCII Sector Forums
Smoke n' Stun is a method of boarding ships implemented since the latest update (.6.6.3). When boarding an enemy ship, the player equips a smoke grenade and stun rod. When between halfway to three quarters of the way through the docking tube, toss the smoke grenade towards the door on the enemy side and when the smoke goes off make for the door. If it's timed right the player will meet the enemy before the enemy gets into the smokescreen and just stun the enemy. Being under cover of the smoke the NPC cannot fire upon the player.