Share - Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of stock option and SAR transactions
Weighted average exercise price outstanding at the end	$ 77.82	$ 69.56	$ 65.60
Awards exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 66.70	$ 62.66	$ 51.09
Lorillard Plan [Member]
Summary of stock option and SAR transactions
Number of awards outstanding at the beginning	1,476,113	1,525,185	814,950
Number of shares granted	342,020	254,728	810,421
Number of shares exercised	(346,698)	(252,787)	(100,186)
Number of shares Forfeited	(8,481)	(51,013)
Number of awards outstanding at the end	1,462,954	1,476,113	1,525,185
Number of shares exercisable	501,775	503,469	399,240
Number of shares available for grant	1,423,483	1,767,101	2,110,418
Weighted average exercise price outstanding at the beginning	$ 69.56	$ 65.60	$ 57.21
Weighted average exercise price granted	$ 103.11	$ 77.84	$ 70.59
Weighted average exercise price Exercised	$ 67.96	$ 53.39	$ 37.74
Weighted average exercise price Forfeited	$ 71.17	$ 62.18
Weighted average exercise price outstanding at the end		$ 69.56	$ 65.60