Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 13,031	$ 13,511	$ 16,560	$ 11,830
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(2,886)	2,866	3,108	16,904
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income	18	197	71	(5,209)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(2,868)	3,063	3,179	11,695
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)	5,282	(1,542)	8,614	(584)
Net unrealized gains (losses) reclassified into net income	0	0	0	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	5,282	(1,542)	8,614	(584)
Net change in forward contracts	15	16	32	31
Net change in pension-related amounts	147	351	295	702
Other comprehensive income	2,576	1,888	12,120	11,844
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	1,193	(1,163)	(1,780)	(6,863)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	(7)	(80)	(29)	2,115
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments	(2,184)	626	(3,554)	237
Net unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	0	0	0
Forward contracts	(6)	(6)	(12)	(12)
Pension-related amounts	(61)	(143)	74	(285)
Income tax provision on other comprehensive income	(1,065)	(766)	(5,301)	(4,808)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,511	1,122	6,819	7,036
Comprehensive income	14,542	14,633	23,379	18,866
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest	(5,106)	0	(6,055)	0
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 9,436	$ 14,633	$ 17,324	$ 18,866