Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Contingencies Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2000 Engle Progeny Cases [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Liggett [Member] State Cases [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2012 Liggett [Member] Engle Progeny Cases [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2012 Liggett [Member] Clay v R J Reynolds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Liggett [Member] Calloway v RJ Reynolds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Liggett [Member] Engle Progency Cases Excluding Lukacs [Member] cases	Dec. 31, 2012 Minimum [Member] Liggett [Member] Engle Progency Cases Excluding Lukacs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Maximum [Member] Liggett [Member] Engle Progency Cases Excluding Lukacs [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Plaintiffs' verdicts (in cases)						8
Cases affirmed on appeal (in cases)						2
Cases pending (in cases)		3,074	5,037
Damages awarded	$ (145,000,000)		$ (1,075)	$ (349)	$ (1,947)		$ (1)	$ (3,008)
Cases including punitive damages (in cases)						2
Punitive damages				1,000	7,600
Cases with adverse verdicts (in cases)			6
Minimum loss exposure			48,000			0
Maximum loss exposure			$ 85,000			$ 16,166