Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Other Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Vector [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Vector [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note Due 2014	Dec. 31, 2011 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note Due 2014	Mar. 31, 2012 Variable Interest 6.75% Senior Convertible Exchange Notes 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable Interest 6.75% Senior Convertible Exchange Notes 2014 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Variable Interest 3.875% Senior Convertible Debentures Due 2026 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable Interest 3.875% Senior Convertible Debentures Due 2026 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Secured Debt [Member] 11% Senior Secured Notes Due 2015 [Member] Vector [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Secured Debt [Member] 11% Senior Secured Notes Due 2015 [Member] Vector [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Convertible Debt [Member] 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note Due 2014 Vector [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Debt [Member] 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note Due 2014 Vector [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Convertible Debt [Member] Variable Interest 6.75% Senior Convertible Exchange Notes 2014 [Member] Vector [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Debt [Member] Variable Interest 6.75% Senior Convertible Exchange Notes 2014 [Member] Vector [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Convertible Debt [Member] Variable Interest 3.875% Senior Convertible Debentures Due 2026 [Member] Vector [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Debt [Member] Variable Interest 3.875% Senior Convertible Debentures Due 2026 [Member] Vector [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Line of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Line of Credit [Member] Term Loan Under Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Feb. 21, 2012 Line of Credit [Member] Term Loan Under Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit [Member] Term Loan Under Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Loans Payable [Member] Liggett [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Loans Payable [Member] Liggett [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Other [Member] Liggett [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other [Member] Liggett [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes payable, long - term debt and other obligations	$ 524,560	$ 544,200									$ 414,451	[1]	$ 414,409	[1]	$ 15,278	[1]	$ 14,296	[1]	$ 52,971	[1]	$ 50,494	[1]	$ 15,987	[1]	$ 16,052	[1]	$ 2	$ 21,472	$ 4,400	$ 4,425	$ 5,689	$ 20,998	$ 21,255	$ 473	$ 533
Less: Current maturities	(24,484)	(50,844)	(15,987)	(16,052)
Amount due after one year	500,076	493,356	482,699	479,199
Unamortized Discount											549		591		34,722		35,704		54,559		57,036		83,011		82,948
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Effective Interest Rate					6.75%		6.75%		3.875%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											11.00%
Fair value of the derivatives embedded	$ 48,364	$ 49,015	$ 48,364	$ 49,015	$ 16,704	$ 16,929	$ 31,660	$ 32,086	$ 106,191	$ 84,485

[1] The fair value of the derivatives embedded within the 6.75% Variable Interest Convertible Note ($16,704 at March 31, 2012 and $16,929 at December 31, 2011, respectively), the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Exchange Notes ($31,660 at March 31, 2012 and $32,086 at December 31, 2011, respectively), and the 3.875% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures ($106,191 at March 31, 2012 and $84,485 at December 31, 2011, respectively) is separately classified as a derivative liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.