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Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Other Obligations (Schedule of Components of Debt and Other Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 30, 2016	May 09, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	Apr. 15, 2014	Mar. 24, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	$ 1,203,249			$ 895,168
Less: Debt issuance costs	(30,798)			(30,141)
Total notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	1,172,451			865,027
Less: Current maturities	(39,508)			(8,919)
Amount due after one year	1,132,943			856,108
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt	112,332			144,042
Senior Notes \| 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2021, including premium of $14,675 and $8,014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	848,954			608,014
Premium	13,954			8,014
Interest rate		7.75%	7.75%			7.75%	7.75%			7.75%	7.75%
Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	179,727			218,255	$ 245,465				$ 201,075
Convertible Debt \| 7.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2019, net of unamortized discount of $115,479 and $132,119
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	187,503			172,614
Unamortized discount	108,480			132,119	146,634				155,818
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt	$ 52,899			72,083
Interest rate	7.50%											7.50%
Convertible Debt \| 5.5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Debentures due 2020, net of unamortized discount of $75,153 and $86,136
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	$ 121,520			97,881
Unamortized discount	71,247			86,136	$ 98,831				$ 0
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt	$ 59,433			71,959
Interest rate	5.50%							5.50%
Line of Credit \| Revolving credit facility \| Liggett
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	$ 37,163			3,213
Line of Credit \| Term loan under credit facility \| Liggett
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	2,999			3,269
Equipment loans \| Liggett
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	4,519			9,716
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations	$ 591			$ 461