New Valley LLC Douglas Elliman Realty LLC (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash	$ 219,551	$ 276,416	$ 240,923	$ 299,825
Other current assets	4,500		4,257
Property, plant and equipment, net	56,042		56,556
Other non-current assets	42,445		43,347
Other current liabilities	11,469		16,504
Other long-term liabilities	1,822		1,667
Income tax expense	(3,492)	12,649
Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member] | New Valley LLC [Member]
Cash	50,358		57,450
Other current assets	5,736		3,293
Property, plant and equipment, net	14,345		14,595
Trademarks	21,663		21,663
Goodwill	38,497		38,742
Other intangible assets, net	1,082		827
Other non-current assets	3,440		3,096
Notes payable - current	417		602
Other current liabilities	12,698		18,734
Notes payable - long term	598		1,104
Other long-term liabilities	9,734		9,490
Members' equity	111,674		109,736
Revenues	71,175	78,044
Costs and expenses	69,226	71,501
Depreciation expense	815	936
Amortization expense	60	63
Other income	742	977
Interest expense, net	23	42
Income tax expense	54	199
Net income	$ 1,739	$ 6,280