Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 21,393	$ 21,481
Net unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(4,634)	20,910
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income	4,246	(13,029)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(388)	7,881
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	14
Net change in forward contracts	9	16
Net change in pension-related amounts
Amortization of loss	445	267
Net change in pension-related amounts	445	267
Other comprehensive income	66	8,178
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	1,908	(8,460)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	(1,745)	5,387
Change in unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	(6)
Forward contracts	(3)	(6)
Pension-related amounts	(183)	(111)
Income tax provision on other comprehensive income	(23)	(3,196)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	43	4,982
Comprehensive income	21,436	26,463
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest	(2,055)	(260)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 19,381	$ 26,203