Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 272,783	[1]	$ 288,995	[1]	$ 806,983	[1]	$ 840,553	[1]
Operating income (loss)	43,193		37,855		117,567		107,298
Depreciation and amortization	2,638		2,613		7,948		7,931
Capital expenditures					8,268		8,469
Tobacco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	272,783		288,995		806,983		840,553
Operating income (loss)	48,139		42,888		130,244		121,527
Depreciation and amortization	2,425		2,337		7,303		6,721
Capital expenditures					7,151		8,129
Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0		0		0		0
Operating income (loss)	(1,054)		(947)		(782)		(1,277)
Depreciation and amortization	119		82		292		242
Capital expenditures					156		139
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0		0		0		0
Operating income (loss)	(3,892)		(4,086)		(11,895)		(12,952)
Depreciation and amortization	94		194		353		968
Capital expenditures					961		201
Real Estate Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	12,874		6,496		20,969		17,597
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Tobacco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	0		0		0		0
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	12,874		6,496		20,969		17,597
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $126,389, $141,473, $379,281 and $412,041, respectively.