Contingencies Class Actions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012 defendants
Class Actions [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases pending	5
Parsons v. AC & S Inc. [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 1,000
Number of defendants	3
Tobacco Litigation Personal Injury Cases [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases pending	750
Liggett [Member] \| Injury From Cigarette Smoking, Addiction or Exposure to Secondary Smoke [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases pending	65
Liggett [Member] \| Price Fixing [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases pending	1
Liggett [Member] \| Tobacco Litigation Personal Injury Cases [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases pending	100

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details