Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 13,511	$ 3,895	$ 11,830	$ (3,795)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)	2,866	(3,025)	16,904	(14,269)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income	197	0	(5,209)	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale	3,063	(3,025)	11,695	(14,269)
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(1,542)	(2,505)	(584)	542
Net unrealized gains reclassified into net income	0	0	0	0
Net unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(1,542)	(2,505)	(584)	542
Net change in forward contracts	16	17	31	32
Net change in pension-related amounts	351	871	702	1,741
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,888	(4,642)	11,844	(11,954)
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	(1,163)	1,228	(6,863)	5,793
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	(80)	0	2,115	0
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investments	626	1,017	237	(220)
Net unrealized gains reclassified into net income on long-term investments	0	0	0	0
Forward contracts	(6)	(7)	(12)	(13)
Pension-related amounts	(143)	(354)	(285)	(707)
Income tax (provision) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	(766)	1,884	(4,808)	4,853
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,122	(2,758)	7,036	(7,101)
Total comprehensive income	14,633	1,137	18,866	(10,896)
Less: Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest			0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 14,633	$ 1,137	$ 18,866	$ (10,896)