Generating interest in events downtown — particularly at WesBanco Arena — obviously is good for Wheeling, even if it means, after nearly a decade, slightly relaxing Ohio County’s strict Clean Indoor Air Regulation.

Members of the Wheeling-Ohio County Board of Health deserve credit for their 4-2 vote last week to relax the smoking rules and allow a one-time “cigar social” to take place later this year at WesBanco Arena.

Howard Karnell, marketing coordinator for the Capitol Theatre and WesBanco Arena, and Wheeling City Councilman Dave Palmer, a member of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Board, pitched the board on the idea.

“There’s an interest in reviving a long-dormant cigar social or cigar dinner,” said Karnell, noting the former Ernie’s Esquire hosted such an event for years. “Part of my roles are marketing, sponsorship, sales and media relations, and also to expand programming to utilize all parts of the facility and to get more exposure and traffic into the facility.”

The proposed cigar social would be a one-time, private, invitation-only event, Karnell said, held on the northwest patio of WesBanco Arena.

Local business owners would be invited to showcase what WesBanco Arena has to offer.

“We’re always trying to get people into the arena,” Palmer added. “The idea is to bring more people in and to continually improve the arena.”

That’s a really good idea, as WesBanco Arena is one of our true downtown community assets. Further exposure only helps maximize the investment taxpayers have made there.

Again, credit to members of the board of health for being community-focused in granting the request.

“For the most part (the social) is out of public view, and it’s a closed, invitation-only event,” member Dr. Matthew Wood said. “I think in the future, we can grant this on a case-by-case basis and make decisions based on the best interest of the county and the city.”