Notes Payable, Long Term Debt and Other Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended														9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Vector [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Vector [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note Due 2014	Dec. 31, 2011 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note Due 2014	Sep. 30, 2012 Variable Interest 6.75% Senior Convertible Exchange Notes 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable Interest 6.75% Senior Convertible Exchange Notes 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Variable Interest 3.875% Senior Convertible Debentures Due 2026 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable Interest 3.875% Senior Convertible Debentures Due 2026 [Member]	Sep. 30, 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]	Sep. 30, 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]		Sep. 30, 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]		Sep. 30, 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]		Sep. 30, 2012 Line of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Line of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]	Sep. 30, 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]	Sep. 30, 2012 Loans Payable [Member] Liggett [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Loans Payable [Member] Liggett [Member]	Sep. 30, 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	$ 530,643	$ 544,200									$ 414,542	$ 414,409	$ 17,908	[1]	$ 14,296	[1]	$ 58,959	[1]	$ 50,494	[1]	$ 7,038	[1]	$ 16,052	[1]	$ 6,153	$ 21,472	$ 4,253	$ 4,425	$ 5,689	$ 21,448	$ 21,255	$ 342	$ 533
Less: Current maturities	(15,628)	(50,844)	0	(16,052)
Amount due after one year	515,015	493,356	498,447	479,199
Unamortized Discount											458	591	32,092		35,704		48,571		57,036		36,184		82,948
Convertible debt effective interest rate					6.75%		6.75%														3.875%
Interest Rate											11.00%
Fair value of the derivatives embedded	$ 87,466	$ 49,015	$ 87,466	$ 49,015	$ 13,951	$ 16,929	$ 26,446	$ 32,086	$ 47,069	$ 84,485

[1] The fair value of the derivatives embedded within the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note ($13,951 at September 30, 2012 and $16,929 at December 31, 2011, respectively), the 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Exchange Notes ($26,446 at September 30, 2012 and $32,086 at December 31, 2011, respectively), and the 3.875% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures ($47,069 at September 30, 2012 and $84,485 at December 31, 2011, respectively) is separately classified as a derivative liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.