Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 27,337	$ 19,444	$ 48,730	$ 40,925
Net unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains	(820)	(4,493)	(5,454)	16,417
Net unrealized (gains) losses reclassified into net income	(90)	190	4,156	(12,839)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale	(910)	(4,303)	(1,298)	3,578
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method:
Change in net unrealized gains	0	1,176	0	1,190
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income	0	1,624	0	1,624
Net unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	2,800	0	2,814
Net change in forward contracts	9	16	18	32
Net change in pension-related amounts
Net loss arising during the year	0	1,607	0	1,607
Amortization of loss	445	254	890	521
Net change in pension-related amounts	445	1,861	890	2,128
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(456)	374	(390)	8,552
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	337	1,857	2,245	(6,603)
Net unrealized losses (gains) reclassified into net income on investment securities	37	(78)	(1,708)	5,309
Change in unrealized gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	(478)	0	(484)
Net unrealized losses reclassified into net income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	0	(672)	0	(672)
Forward contracts	(4)	(7)	(7)	(13)
Pension-related amounts	(183)	(769)	(366)	(880)
Income tax benefit (provision) on other comprehensive income	187	(147)	164	(3,343)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(269)	227	(226)	5,209
Comprehensive income	27,068	19,671	48,504	46,134
Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interest	(3,322)	(1,837)	(5,377)	(2,097)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 23,746	$ 17,834	$ 43,127	$ 44,037