Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 77,266	$ 66,472	$ 49,114
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(6,139)	(12,710)	2,095
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income	2,474	1,708	11
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(3,665)	(11,002)	2,106
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)	0	1,190	(1,784)
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income	0	1,624	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	2,814	(1,784)
Net change in forward contracts	28	61	64
Net change in pension-related amounts
Net gain arising during the year	(3,064)	(8,620)	(4,698)
Amortization of loss	1,780	4,200	1,015
Net change in pension-related amounts	(1,284)	(4,420)	(3,683)
Other comprehensive loss	(4,921)	(12,547)	(3,297)
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	2,490	5,650	(866)
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income on investment securities	(1,004)	(702)	(5)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	(484)	738
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	(672)	0
Forward contracts	(11)	(25)	(27)
Pension-related amounts	514	1,810	1,523
Income tax benefit on other comprehensive income	1,989	5,577	1,363
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(2,932)	(6,970)	(1,934)
Comprehensive income	74,334	59,502	47,180
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest	(6,139)	(7,274)	(12,258)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 68,195	$ 52,228	$ 34,922