Contingencies (Cautionary Statement About Engle Progeny Cases) (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 07, 2016 USD ($) case	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) case	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($) case	Dec. 31, 2016 case	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) case
Engle Progeny Cases
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases with judgments (more than)		120		120	120
Liggett | Engle Progeny Cases
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases with verdicts		24		24	24
Plaintiffs' verdicts (in cases)		15		15	15
Cases with verdicts in favor of defendants		9		9	9
Cases including punitive damages (in cases)		4		4	4
Cases settled	124	124	4,900
Amount of litigation settlement to (against) entity | $	$ (17,650)	$ (17,650)	$ (110,000)
Liggett | Irimi and Cohen [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases with verdicts where defendants motion for new trial granted		2		2	2
Liggett and Vector Tobacco | Engle Progeny Cases
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Cases settled				1	177
Amount of litigation settlement to (against) entity | $					$ (6,025)