Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Other Obligations (Textuals) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014 Secured Debt [Member] 7.75% Senior Secured Notes Due 2021 [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Secured Debt [Member] 7.75% Senior Secured Notes Due 2021 [Member]	Apr. 15, 2014 Secured Debt [Member] 7.75% Senior Secured Notes Due 2021 [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]	Mar. 14, 2014 Convertible Debt [Member] 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014 - Vector	Mar. 31, 2014 Convertible Debt [Member] 6.75% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Note due 2014 - Vector	Mar. 24, 2014 Convertible Debt [Member] 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2020	Mar. 31, 2014 Convertible Debt [Member] 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2020	Mar. 24, 2014 Convertible Debt [Member] Variable Interest 7.50% Senior Convertible Debentures [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Line of Credit [Member] Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility [Member] Liggett [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt amount					$ 150,000			$ 258,750
Interest rate				7.75%		6.75%	6.75%	5.50%	5.50%
Proceeds from debt issuance	260,508	450,000			156,000			250,300
Redemption price					106.75%
Conversion price								$ 27.16
Converted amount						25,000
Convertible principal balance						50,000
Note conversion (in shares)						2,121,479
Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion	3,679	0					3,679
Increase in equity from conversion							25,000
Interest Rate			7.75%					1.75%
Conversion basis amount										1,000
Conversion basis shares								36.8155
Percent of principal										100.00%
Amount outstanding											19,557
Remaining borrowing capacity											$ 30,443