Contingencies Class Actions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Engle Case Class Action [Member] cases	Aug. 31, 2011 Engle Case Class Action [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2010 Engle Case Class Action [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2000 Engle Progeny Cases [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Tobacco Litigation Personal Injury Cases [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2011 Liggett [Member] Injury From Cigarette Smoking, Addiction or Exposure to Secondary Smoke [Member] cases	May 31, 2003 Liggett [Member] Engle Case Class Action [Member]	Jul. 31, 2000 Liggett [Member] Engle Case Class Action [Member]	Apr. 30, 2000 Liggett [Member] Engle Case Class Action [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Liggett [Member] Engle Case Class Action [Member] cases	Aug. 31, 2011 Liggett [Member] Engle Case Class Action [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2011 Liggett [Member] Engle Progeny Cases [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2011 Liggett [Member] Price Fixing [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2011 Liggett [Member] Tobacco Litigation Personal Injury Cases [Member] cases
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases pending		22			750	33				1	14	5,755	1	100
Stays lifted			12
Re-Stayed cases	2
Damages awarded				$ 145,000,000				$ 790,000	$ 12,704
Overturned judgement							$ 5,831