Quarterly Financial Results (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 29, 2016	Sep. 29, 2015	Sep. 26, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 412,772	$ 459,104	$ 438,273	$ 380,800	$ 430,330	$ 449,934	$ 416,173	$ 360,760	$ 1,690,949	$ 1,657,197	$ 1,591,315
Gross Profit	138,923	155,662	154,642	144,378	137,742	154,017	136,969	118,742
Operating income	30,754	69,364	70,720	62,159	31,032	69,367	55,803	43,718	232,997	199,920	212,438
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 4,599	$ 23,175	$ 24,015	$ 19,338	$ 7,904	$ 12,466	$ 17,607	$ 21,221	$ 71,127	$ 59,198	$ 36,856
Per basic common share:
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.18	$ 0.19	$ 0.15	$ 0.06	$ 0.10	$ 0.14	$ 0.17	$ 0.56	$ 0.46	$ 0.32
Per diluted common share:
Net income applicable to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.18	$ 0.19	$ 0.15	$ 0.06	$ 0.10	$ 0.14	$ 0.17	$ 0.55	$ 0.46	$ 0.32
Stock dividend paid to company stockholders												5.00%	5.00%	5.00%