Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Total revenues		$ 1,870,262	$ 1,807,476	$ 1,690,949
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales		1,292,484	1,228,046	1,097,344
Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses		355,513	337,191	339,059
Litigation settlement and judgment expense (income)		(1,784)	6,591	20,000
Restructuring charges		0	0	41
Operating income		224,049	235,648	234,505
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense		(203,780)	(173,685)	(142,982)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(4,066)	(34,110)	0
Change in fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt		44,989	35,919	31,710
Equity in earnings (losses) from investments		3,158	(765)	(2,754)
Equity in earnings from real estate ventures		14,446	21,395	5,200
Net losses recognized on investment securities		(9,570)	(660)	(3,487)
Other, net		10,333	5,426	4,237
Income before provision for income taxes		79,559	89,168	126,429
Income tax expense (benefit)		21,552	(1,582)	49,163
Net income		58,007	90,750	77,266
Net loss (income) attributed to non-controlling interest		98	(6,178)	(6,139)
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.		$ 58,105	$ 84,572	$ 71,127
Per basic common share:
Net income applicable to common share attributed to Vector Group Ltd. (in dollars per share)		$ 0.37	$ 0.56	$ 0.50
Per diluted common share:
Net income applicable to common share attributed to Vector Group Ltd. (in dollars per share)		$ 0.37	$ 0.56	$ 0.50
Tobacco
Revenues:
Total revenues	[1]	$ 1,111,094	$ 1,080,950	$ 1,011,620
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales	[1]	787,251	750,768	672,431
Litigation settlement and judgment expense (income)		685	6,591	20,000
Restructuring charges				41
Real Estate
Revenues:
Total revenues		759,168	727,364	680,105
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales		505,233	477,278	424,829
Corporate and other
Revenues:
Total revenues		0	(838)	(776)
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales		$ 0	$ 0	$ 84

[1] Revenues and cost of sales include federal excise taxes of $469,836, $460,561 and $425,980 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.