Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 19,705	$ 13,031	$ 40,921	$ 16,560
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(9,623)	(2,886)	6,517	3,108
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income	190	18	(12,839)	71
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(9,433)	(2,868)	(6,322)	3,179
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized gains	1,176	5,282	1,190	8,614
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income	(1,624)	0	(1,624)	0
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	2,800	5,282	2,814	8,614
Net change in forward contracts	16	15	32	32
Net change in pension-related amounts
Net loss arising during the year	1,607	0	1,607	0
Amortization of loss	254	147	521	295
Net change in pension-related amounts	1,861	147	2,128	295
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(4,756)	2,576	(1,348)	12,120
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	3,979	1,193	(2,694)	(1,780)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	(78)	(7)	5,309	(29)
Change in unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(478)	(2,184)	(484)	(3,554)
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(672)	0	(672)	0
Forward contracts	(7)	(6)	(13)	(12)
Pension-related amounts	(769)	(61)	(880)	74
Income tax provision on other comprehensive income	1,975	(1,065)	566	(5,301)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(2,781)	1,511	(782)	6,819
Comprehensive income	16,924	14,542	40,139	23,379
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest	(1,837)	(5,106)	(2,097)	(6,055)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 15,087	$ 9,436	$ 38,042	$ 17,324