Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 66,472	$ 49,114	$ 37,048
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(12,710)	2,095	19,632
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income	1,708	11	(5,152)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(11,002)	2,106	14,480
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)	1,190	(1,784)	98
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income	1,624	0	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	2,814	(1,784)	98
Net change in forward contracts	61	64	62
Net change in pension-related amounts
Net (loss) gain arising during the year	(8,620)	(4,698)	9,513
Amortization of gain	4,200	1,015	2,099
Net change in pension-related amounts	(4,420)	(3,683)	11,612
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(12,547)	(3,297)	26,252
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	5,650	(866)	(7,971)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	(702)	(5)	2,092
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(484)	738	(40)
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(672)	0	0
Forward contracts	(25)	(27)	(25)
Pension-related amounts	1,810	1,523	(4,714)
Income tax benefit (provision) on other comprehensive (loss) income	5,577	1,363	(10,658)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(6,970)	(1,934)	15,594
Comprehensive income	59,502	47,180	52,642
Comprehensive (income) loss attributed to non-controlling interest	(7,274)	(12,258)	252
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 52,228	$ 34,922	$ 52,894