Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues	$ 240,402	[1]	$ 257,606	[1]
Expenses:
Cost of goods sold	172,956	[1]	200,181	[1]
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses	24,350		23,979
Operating income	43,096		33,446
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(33,376)		(26,252)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(21,458)		0
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt	3,049		(21,057)
Gain on sale of investment securities available for sale	5,406		0
Other, net	809		(68)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(2,016)		(11,182)
Income tax benefit	(335)		(3,492)
Net loss	(1,681)		(7,690)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0
Net loss attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	(1,681)		(7,690)
Per basic common share:
Net income applicable to common shares (dollars per share)	$ (0.02)		$ (0.09)
Per diluted common share:
Net income applicable to common shares (dollars per share)	$ (0.02)		$ (0.09)
Cash distributions and dividends declared per share (dollars per share)	$ 0.40		$ 0.38
Estate [Member]
Other income (expenses):
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	481		2,863
Equity loss on long-term investments	481		2,863
Long Term Investment [Member]
Other income (expenses):
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	(23)		(114)
Equity loss on long-term investments	$ (23)		$ (114)

[1] Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $108,911 and $121,925, respectively.