Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

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Net fair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as assets, net of those classified as liabilities.

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Cost incurred during the reporting period in transporting goods and services to customers. Includes freight-out costs.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Other Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts and cash discounts	$ 452	$ 433
Current restricted assets	2,595	1,785
Long-term restricted assets	12,013	11,981
Percentage of invested funds invested in partnerships not accounted for on equity method (greater than 5%)	5.00%	5.00%
Tax on payments of dividend equivalent rights	4,612vgr_DividendEquivalentRightsTaxEffect	4,007vgr_DividendEquivalentRightsTaxEffect	2,709vgr_DividendEquivalentRightsTaxEffect
Shipping and handling fees and costs	5,585	5,559	5,474
Fair market value of embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs	169,386	112,062
Tobacco and E-Cigarettes [Member] \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Advertising costs	9,493	4,839	4,266
Real Estate [Member] \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Advertising costs	14,952	1,298	523
Minimum [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Inventory classification of current asset, range	1 year
Unrecognized tax benefits, recognition of tax positions, likelihood of being realized upon settlement	50.00%
Fair market value of embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs	167,593	110,758
Maximum [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash equivalent, maturity period	90 days
Marketable securities, ownership interest	20.00%
Fair market value of embedded derivatives at the midpoint of the inputs	171,215	113,392
New Valley LLC [Member] \| Douglas Elliman Realty LLC [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accounts payable adjustment				16,434
Current liabilities adjustment				$ (16,434)