Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 257,606	[1]	$ 260,378	[1]
Operating income (loss)	33,446		31,476
Depreciation and amortization	2,771		2,659
Capital expenditures	2,243		2,661
Tobacco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	257,606		260,378
Operating income (loss)	37,515		36,425
Depreciation and amortization	2,495		1,998
Capital expenditures	1,442		2,626
Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0		0
Operating income (loss)	521		157
Depreciation and amortization	85		80
Capital expenditures	41		33
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0		0
Operating income (loss)	(4,590)		(5,106)
Depreciation and amortization	191		581
Capital expenditures	760		2
Real Estate Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	2,863		4,904
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Tobacco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	0		0
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	2,863		4,904
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	$ 0		$ 0

[1] Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $121,925 and $127,634, respectively.