Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 15,849	$ 19,705	$ 56,770	$ 36,265
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(50,067)	19,184	(43,550)	22,292
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income	9,091	(33)	(3,748)	38
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(40,976)	19,151	(47,298)	22,330
Net unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	0	(4,694)	1,190	3,920
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income	0	0	(1,624)	0
Net unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	(4,694)	2,814	3,920
Net change in forward contracts	15	16	47	48
Net change in pension-related amounts
Net loss arising during the year	0	0	1,607	0
Amortization of loss	229	147	750	442
Net change in pension-related amounts	229	147	2,357	442
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(40,732)	14,620	(42,080)	26,740
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	20,702	(7,438)	18,008	(9,218)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	(3,759)	13	1,550	(16)
Change in unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	1,933	(484)	(1,621)
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	0	(672)	0
Forward contracts	(6)	(8)	(19)	(20)
Pension-related amounts	(95)	(105)	(975)	(31)
Income tax provision on other comprehensive (loss) income	16,842	(5,605)	17,408	(10,906)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(23,890)	9,015	(24,672)	15,834
Comprehensive (loss) income	(8,041)	28,720	32,098	52,099
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest	(3,644)	(4,826)	(5,741)	(10,881)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ (11,685)	$ 23,894	$ 26,357	$ 41,218