Edgar Filing: VECTOR GROUP LTD

VECTOR GROUP LTD. PREM14A

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant ý
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:

ý Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
¨ Definitive Proxy Statement
¨ Definitive Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

Vector Group Ltd.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
o	No fee required.
ý	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Common Shares, par value $.01 per share, of New Valley Corporation.

	(2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 9,616,822, which represents 22,260,607 outstanding common shares of New Valley Corporation on October 19, 2005, less 12,849,118 shares owned by VGR Holding Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector Group Ltd., plus an additional 205,333 common shares of New Valley Corporation reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options all as reported to Vector Group Ltd. by New Valley Corporation on October 19, 2005.

	(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): The filing fee was determined based on the product of (a) $7.90, the market price of the common shares of New Valley Corporation computed in accordance with Exchange Act Rules 0-11(d) and 0-11(a)(4), based upon the average of the high and low sale prices of the New Valley Corporation common shares as quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market on October 13, 2005 and (b) 9,616,822, the maximum number of shares to be acquired pursuant to the offer. In accordance with Section 14(g) of the Exchange Act, the filing fee was determined by multiplying .0001177 by the sum of the preceding sentence.

	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $75,972,894

	(5)	Total fee paid: $8,942

o	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

x	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

	(1)	Amount Previously Paid: $8,942

	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Form S-4

	(3)	Filing Party: Vector Group Ltd.

	(4)	Date Filed: October 20, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PROXY STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF VECTOR COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER
	The Exchange Offer
	Reasons for Seeking Stockholder Approval
	Opinion of Vector’s Financial Advisor
	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
MISCELLANEOUS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
OTHER MATTERS

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held November 29, 2005

To the Stockholders of Vector Group Ltd.:

The Special Meeting of Stockholders of Vector Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation (“Vector”), will be held at The Hyatt Regency Miami, 400 S.E. Second Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131 on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any postponement or adjournment thereof, for the following purposes:

1. To approve and authorize the issuance of shares of Vector’s common stock, par value $.10 per share (the “Vector Common Stock”), pursuant to Vector’s proposed exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) for all of the outstanding common shares, par value $.01 per share, of New Valley Corporation, a Delaware corporation, not currently owned by Vector and the subsequent merger.

2. To transact such other business as properly may come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

Every holder of record of Vector Common Stock at the close of business on October 25, 2005 is entitled to notice of the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof and to vote, in person or by proxy, one vote for each share of Vector Common Stock held by such holder. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available to any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting during ordinary business hours from November 19, 2005 to November 29, 2005, at the headquarters of Vector located at 100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd Floor, Miami, Florida 33131. A proxy statement (which includes a copy of the Offer to Exchange) and form of proxy are enclosed herewith.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Bennett S. LeBow
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Miami, Florida
[_______], 2005

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE.

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131

PROXY STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Vector Board”) of Vector Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation (“Vector”). The proxy is solicited for use at the special meeting of stockholders to be held at The Hyatt Regency Miami, 400 S.E. Second Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131 on Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any postponement or adjournment. Vector’s principal executive offices are located at 100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, and its telephone number is (305) 579-8000.

VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

Every holder of record of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of Vector (the “Vector Common Stock”) at the close of business on October 25, 2005 is entitled to notice of the meeting and any adjournments or postponements and to vote, in person or by proxy, one vote for each share of Vector Common Stock held by such holder. At the record date, Vector had outstanding 44,592,890 shares of Vector Common Stock. This proxy statement, accompanying notice and proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about [___], 2005.

Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke the proxy prior to its exercise. A proxy can be revoked by an instrument of revocation delivered at or prior to the special meeting to the secretary of Vector, by a duly executed proxy bearing a date or time later than the date or time of the proxy being revoked, or at the special meeting if the stockholder is present and elects to vote in person. Mere attendance at the special meeting will not serve to revoke a proxy. Abstentions and shares held of record by a broker or its nominee that are voted on any matter are included in determining the number of votes present for quorum purposes, but abstentions and broker shares not voted are disregarded and will have no effect on the proposed vote.

All proxies received and not revoked will be voted as directed. If no directions are specified, such proxies will be voted FOR the approval and authorization of the issuance of the shares of Vector Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer (as deferred herein).

APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF VECTOR COMMON STOCK
PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER

The Exchange Offer

Vector is seeking stockholder approval for the issuance of shares of Vector Common Stock to be issued pursuant to an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) for all of the outstanding common shares, par value $.01 per share (the “New Valley Stock”), of New Valley Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“New Valley”), not currently owned by Vector and in the subsequent merger in order to combine New Valley with Vector. Vector currently owns 12,849,118 shares of New Valley Stock, representing approximately 57.7% of all of the outstanding shares of New Valley Stock. If Vector successfully completes the Exchange Offer, it will own more than 90% of the outstanding New Valley Stock, and would then effect a “short form” merger of one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley. Under the subsequent merger, unless a stockholder properly perfects its appraisal rights under Delaware law, each share of New Valley Stock not acquired in the Exchange Offer would be converted into the same consideration as each share of New Valley Stock that was tendered into the Exchange Offer. In both the Exchange Offer and the subsequent merger, Vector Common Stock will be issued at an exchange ratio of 0.461 shares of Vector Common Stock for each share of New Valley Stock. The exchange ratio of 0.461 shares of Vector Common Stock for each share of New Valley Stock reflects a value of approximately $9.00 per share of New Valley Stock and a 21% premium above the closing price of New Valley Stock on September 26, 2005, the last trading day before the Vector Board publicly announced its intention to commence the Exchange Offer. Successful completion of the Exchange Offer and subsequent merger would require the issuance of approximately 4,339,000 shares of Vector Common Stock, not giving effect to outstanding options to purchase shares of New Valley Stock.

The issuance of the shares of Vector Common Stock in exchange for the shares of New Valley Stock will be dilutive to the outstanding shares of Vector Common Stock. The issuance of Vector Common Stock could also depress the market price of Vector Common Stock by increasing the number of shares of Vector Common Stock that are outstanding. Prior to the issuance of Vector Common Stock in the Exchange Offer and subsequent merger, holders of Vector Common Stock, other than (i) directors and executive officers of Vector and (ii) stockholders holding more than 5% of Vector Common Stock owned approximately 42.5%, and after the consummation of the Exchange Offer and subsequent merger will own approximately 45.2%, of the outstanding Vector Common Stock.

For information regarding the background, reasons, terms and effect of, and interests of certain persons in the Exchange Offer and subsequent merger, as well as a description of Vector Common Stock and financial statements and related information, see the Offer to Exchange enclosed herewith.

Reasons for Seeking Stockholder Approval

Vector’s ability to issue the shares of Vector Common Stock in exchange for shares of New Valley Stock is subject to stockholder approval, as required by Section 312.03(b) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Manual”). Section 312.03(b) requires stockholder approval of stock issuances in which a director, officer or substantial stockholder of Vector will be issued a number of shares exceeding 1% of the outstanding shares

of the issuing company’s common stock. The issuance of Vector Common Stock to New Valley stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Offer would result in the issuance of shares of Vector Common Stock greater than 1% of the outstanding shares of Vector Common Stock to (i) Howard M. Lorber, a director, an officer and, together with certain of his affiliated entities, a substantial stockholder of Vector, and (ii) Carl C. Icahn, together with certain of his affiliated entities, a substantial stockholder of Vector. Upon successful completion of the Exchange Offer, Messrs. Lorber and Icahn and their respective affiliates would receive approximately 444,376 and 582,098 shares of Vector Common Stock, respectively, equal to approximately 1% and 1.3% of the 44,592,890 outstanding shares of Vector Common Stock on the record date, respectively. Approval of the issuance of Vector Common Stock in the Exchange Offer, if given, will be effective for the issuance of Vector Common Stock at the 0.461 exchange ratio regardless of the other terms and conditions or the timing of the Exchange Offer or the subsequent merger or other factors that might be related thereto.

Pursuant to Section 312.07 of the NYSE Manual, an affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast (provided that the total vote cast for the proposed issuance represents over 50% in interest of all of the shares of Vector Common Stock entitled to vote thereon) regarding the proposed issuance is required for approval of the proposed issuance of Vector Common Stock. Certain directors and executive officers of Vector, who collectively own approximately 29.3% of the outstanding Vector Common Stock on the record date, have indicated that they currently intend to vote their shares of Vector Common Stock in favor of the proposed issuance.

The issuance of Vector Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer is a condition to the consummation of the Exchange Offer. Therefore, if the proposed issuance of Vector Common Stock is not approved by the stockholders, the Exchange Offer will not be consummated.

Opinion of Vector’s Financial Advisor

Vector engaged Jefferies & Company, Inc. (“Jefferies”) pursuant to an engagement letter dated as of September 27, 2005 to serve as its financial advisor in connection with the Exchange Offer. On September 27, 2005, Jefferies rendered to the Vector Board its opinion as investment bankers to the effect that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the various considerations and assumptions set forth therein, the exchange ratio of 0.461 shares of Vector Common Stock to be issued in exchange for each outstanding share of New Valley Stock not owned by Vector was fair, from a financial point of view, to Vector. For a summary of the Jefferies opinion and the material financial and comparative analyses performed by Jefferies that was presented to the Vector Board on September 27, 2005 in connection with the delivery of its opinion, see “BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER — Opinion of Jefferies” beginning on page 29 of the Offer to Exchange. The full text of the Jefferies opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by Jefferies in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex D to the Offer to Exchange.

The Jefferies opinion was provided to the Vector Board in connection with its consideration of the Exchange Offer, and therefore addresses only the fairness to Vector, from a financial point of view and as of the date of the Jefferies opinion, of the exchange ratio to be offered in the Exchange Offer. The Jefferies opinion does not address the fairness of the exchange ratio to the New Valley stockholders or any other aspect of the Exchange Offer, nor does it constitute a recommendation as to how any Vector stockholder should vote on the share issuance or any other matter relevant to the Exchange Offer or as to whether any New Valley stockholder should tender their shares of New Valley Stock in the Exchange Offer. Vector has agreed to pay Jefferies a customary fee for its services in connection with the delivery of its opinion to the Vector Board.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

In connection with Vector’s convertible note offering in November 2004, the purchasers of the notes required Bennett S. LeBow, the principal stockholder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vector, to enter into an agreement granting Jefferies, the placement agent for such offering, the right, in its sole discretion, to borrow up to 3,646,518 shares of Vector Common Stock from the principal stockholder or an entity affiliated with him during a 30-month period, subject to extension under various conditions, and that he agree not to dispose of such shares during this period, subject to limited exceptions. In consideration for the principal stockholder agreeing to lend his shares in order to facilitate Vector’s offering and accepting the resulting liquidity risk, Vector agreed to pay him or an affiliate designated by him an annual fee, payable on a quarterly basis in cash or, by mutual agreement of Vector and the principal stockholder, shares of Vector Common Stock, equal to 1% of the aggregate market value of 3,646,518 shares of Vector Common Stock. In addition, Vector agreed to hold the principal stockholder harmless on an after-tax basis against any increase, if any, in the income tax rate applicable to dividends paid on the shares as a result of the share loan agreement. The principal stockholder has the right to assign to Howard M. Lorber, the President and a director of Vector, some or all of his obligation to lend the shares under such agreement. In 2004, Vector paid an entity affiliated with the principal stockholder an aggregate of $69,000 under this agreement.

In connection with Vector’s convertible note offering in 2001, a similar agreement with the principal stockholder of Vector had been in place for the three-year period ended June 29, 2004. In 2004, Vector paid an entity affiliated with the principal stockholder an aggregate of $291,000 under the agreement.

In connection with Vector’s convertible note offering in April 2005, Vector entered into a similar arrangement through May 2007 with Mr. Lorber, as one of Vector’s principal stockholders, with respect to 315,000 shares of Vector Common Stock.

As of the record date, High River Limited Partnership, an investment entity owned by Carl C. Icahn, was the beneficial owner of 21.4% of Vector Common Stock. High River owns $20,000,000 of Vector’s 6.25% convertible notes due 2008, convertible into 904,159 shares of Vector Common Stock on the record date. High River received interest payments on the notes of $1,250,000 during 2004.

Various executive officers and directors of Vector and New Valley serve as members of the Board of Directors of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., which is indebted to New Valley. For additional information concerning these borrowings, see page 64 of the Offer to Exchange.

Mr. Lorber was Chairman of Hallman & Lorber in 2004 and, since January 2005, has been a consultant to such company. During 2004, Mr. Lorber and Hallman & Lorber and its affiliates received ordinary and customary insurance commissions aggregating approximately $587,000 on various insurance policies issued for Vector and its subsidiaries and investees. Mr. Lorber and Hallman & Lorber and its affiliates have continued to provide services to Vector in 2005.

Mr. Eide is a stockholder, and serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, of Aegis Capital Corp., a registered broker-dealer, that has performed services for New Valley since before January 1, 2004. During 2004, Aegis received commissions and other income in the aggregate amount of approximately $46,000 from New Valley. Aegis has continued to provide services to New Valley in 2005.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of the record date, the beneficial ownership of Vector Common Stock, the only class of voting securities, by:

	Ø		each person known to Vector to own beneficially more than 5% of Vector Common Stock;
	Ø		each of Vector’s directors;
	Ø		each of Vector’s named executive officers; and
	Ø		all directors and executive officers as a group.

Unless otherwise indicated, each person possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned, and the business address of each person is 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida 33131.


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Bennett S. LeBow(1)(4)(6)		16,951,381		33.4	%

High River Limited Partnership(2)		9,745,502		21.4	%
Hopper Investments LLC
Barberry Corp.
Carl C. Icahn
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153

Howard M. Lorber(3)(4)(6)		2,916,265		6.4	%

Henry C. Beinstein(4)		11,025		(*	)
Gagnon Securities LLC
1370 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

Robert J. Eide(4)		52,580		(*	)
Aegis Capital Corp.
810 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Jeffrey S. Podell(4)(5)		62,284		(*	)
173 Doral Court
Roslyn, NY 11576

Jean E. Sharpe(4)(5)		48,215		(*	)
15 Silo Ridge Road
North Salem, NY 10560

Richard J. Lampen(6)(7)		308,069		(*	)

Marc N. Bell(6)(8)		67,003		(*	)


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares		Percent of Class
Ronald J. Bernstein(4)(8)(9)		477,461		1.1	%
Liggett Vector Brands Inc.
One Park Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)		20,926,512		39.9	%


(*)		The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of Vector Common Stock.

(1)		Includes 10,300,557 shares of Vector Common Stock held by LeBow Gamma Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership, 385,384 shares held by LeBow Alpha LLLP, a Delaware limited liability limited partnership, 99,411 shares held by The Bennett and Geraldine LeBow Foundation, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation, 2,638,312 shares acquirable by LeBow Gamma Limited Partnership, as assignee of Mr. LeBow, upon exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase Vector Common Stock, and 3,527,717 shares acquirable by LeBow Epsilon Investments Trust, as assignee of Mr. LeBow, upon exercise of currently exercisable options. Mr. LeBow indirectly exercises sole voting power and sole dispositive power over the shares of Vector Common Stock held or acquirable by the partnerships and trust. LeBow Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is the general partner of LeBow Alpha LLLP and is the sole stockholder of LeBow Gamma, Inc., a Nevada corporation, which is the general partner of LeBow Gamma Limited Partnership. Mr. LeBow is a director, officer and sole shareholder of LeBow Holdings, Inc., a director and officer of LeBow Gamma, Inc. and the sole trustee of LeBow Epsilon Investments Trust. Mr. LeBow and family members serve as directors and executive officers of the foundation, and Mr. LeBow possesses shared voting power and shared dispositive power with the other directors of the foundation with respect to the foundation’s shares of Vector Common Stock.

(2)		Based upon a Form 4, filed by the named entities on November 22, 2004. Barberry Corp. is the managing member of Hopper Investments LLC, which is the general partner of High River Limited Partnership, and is wholly owned by Mr. Icahn. Includes 904,159 shares of Vector Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Vector’s convertible notes.

(3)		Includes 609,279 shares held directly by Mr. Lorber (subject to the vesting provisions of the September 27, 2005 restricted stock award of 500,000 shares of Vector Common Stock), 1,317,872 shares of Vector Common Stock held by Lorber Epsilon 1999 Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, and 989,114 shares acquirable by Mr. Lorber upon exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase Vector Common Stock. Mr. Lorber exercises sole voting power and sole dispositive power over the shares of Vector Common Stock held by the partnership and by himself. Lorber Epsilon 1999 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of Lorber Epsilon 1999 Limited Partnership. Lorber Alpha II Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership, is the sole member of, and Mr. Lorber is the manager of, Lorber Epsilon 1999 LLC. Lorber Alpha II, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is the general partner of Lorber Alpha II Limited Partnership. Mr. Lorber is a director, officer and controlling shareholder of Lorber Alpha II, Inc. Mr. Lorber disclaims beneficial ownership of 11,910 shares of Vector Common Stock held by Lorber Charitable Fund. Lorber Charitable Fund is a New York not-for-profit corporation, of which family members of Mr. Lorber serve as directors and executive officers.

(4)		The named individual is a director of Vector.

(5)		Includes 13,399 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase Vector Common Stock.

(6)		The named individual is an executive officer of Vector.

(7)		Includes 134,008 shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase Vector Common Stock.

(8)		Represents shares issuable upon exercise of currently exercisable options to purchase Vector Common Stock.

(9)		The named individual is an executive officer of Vector’s subsidiaries Liggett Vector Brands Inc. and Liggett Group Inc.

In addition, by virtue of his controlling interest in Vector, Mr. LeBow may be deemed to own beneficially the securities of Vector’s subsidiaries, including VGR Holding Inc., Liggett

Group, Vector Tobacco Inc. and New Valley Corporation. The disclosure of this information should not be construed as an admission that Mr. LeBow is the beneficial owner of any securities of Vector’s subsidiaries under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or for any other purpose, and beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed. None of Vector’s other directors or executive officers beneficially owns any equity securities of any of Vector’s subsidiaries, except for (i) Mr. Lorber and his affiliates who own 898,608 common shares of New Valley and hold currently exercisable options to acquire 65,333 New Valley common shares, (ii) Mr. Beinstein who owns 833 common shares of New Valley and holds currently exercisable options to acquire 30,000 New Valley common shares, and (iii) Mr. Eide who owns 5 New Valley common shares.

MISCELLANEOUS

All information in this proxy statement concerning Vector Common Stock has been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividends paid to the stockholders of Vector on September 30, 1999, September 28, 2000, September 28, 2001, September 27, 2002, September 29, 2003, September 29, 2004 and September 29, 2005.

The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by Vector. In addition to the use of the mails, some of the directors, officers and regular employees of Vector may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies personally or by telephone. Vector will reimburse brokerage houses, banks and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for customary and reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding soliciting material to the beneficial owners of Vector Common Stock.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Vector and New Valley file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that Vector and New Valley file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference rooms. Vector and New Valley’s SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

OTHER MATTERS

The board knows of no other matters which will be presented at the special meeting. If, however, any other matter is properly presented at the special meeting, the proxy solicited by this proxy statement will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons holding such proxy.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Bennett S. LeBow
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Dated: [___], 2005

ANNEX A

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY CHANGE. WE MAY NOT COMPLETE THIS OFFER AND ISSUE SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS RELATES IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK, AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING OFFERS TO EXCHANGE OUR SHARES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

Offer by VGR Holding Inc.

to Exchange

0.461 of a Share of Common Stock

Vector Group Ltd.

for

Each Outstanding Common Share

New Valley Corporation

THIS OFFER, AND YOUR RIGHT TO WITHDRAW THE COMMON SHARES OF NEW VALLEY CORPORATION YOU TENDER INTO THIS OFFER, WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2005, UNLESS WE EXTEND THIS OFFER.

We are offering to exchange 0.461 of a share of Vector Group Ltd., or Vector, common stock for each outstanding common share of New Valley Corporation, or New Valley, on the terms and conditions contained in this Prospectus and in the related Letter of Transmittal.

Stockholders who wish to tender should follow the instructions included in this Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal.

VGR Holding Inc., or VGR Holding, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector, and we currently own approximately 57.7% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley. This offer is conditioned on, among other things, the tender of a sufficient number of the outstanding common shares of New Valley such that, after giving effect to the offer, we own at least 90% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley. If this minimum tender condition is satisfied, more than a majority of the minority stockholders of New Valley (i.e., stockholders unaffiliated with Vector and its subsidiaries and stockholders who are not directors or officers of New Valley) will have also validly tendered and not properly withdrawn their common shares of New Valley in our offer. Our obligation to exchange shares of Vector common stock for common shares of New Valley is also subject to other conditions described in this Prospectus under “The Offer — Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58. We do not intend to have a subsequent offering period.

If we successfully complete this offer, we will own more than 90% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley, and we would then effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley. Under Delaware law, this short form merger would be effected without the approval of New Valley’s board of directors or the remaining holders of New Valley’s common shares. We will effect the subsequent merger as soon as practicable after we complete this offer, unless we are prevented from doing so by a court or other legal requirement. Each common share of New Valley that we do not own or acquire in this offer would be converted in the subsequent merger into the right to receive 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock, unless the holder of the common shares of New Valley properly perfects appraisal rights under Delaware law. After we complete the subsequent merger, New Valley will be our wholly-owned subsidiary.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 for a discussion of issues that you should consider in determining whether to tender your shares into this offer.

Vector’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “VGR”. New Valley’s common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market and trade under the symbol “NVAL”.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE VECTOR COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED IN THIS OFFER AND THE SUBSEQUENT MERGER OR DETERMINED IF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:

Georgeson Shareholder Securities Corporation

The date of this prospectus is October 20, 2005.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE OFFER			iii
SUMMARY			1
	Introduction		1
	Information About Vector and New Valley		1
	The Offer		2
	Selected Historical Financial Data of Vector and New Valley		5
	Unaudited Comparative Per Share Data		8
	Comparative Per Share Market Data		9
	Vector Dividend Policy		9
RISK FACTORS			10
	Risks Related to the Offer and the Subsequent Merger		10
	Risks Related to Our Business		11
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION			23
BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER			24
	Vector’s Long-Term Investment in New Valley		24
	Key Factors Motivating the Offer		25
	Financial Impact of the Offer on Vector		26
	No Prior Discussions Relating to Potential Extraordinary Transaction		26
	Vector Board’s Decision to Commence the Offer		26
	Opinion of Jefferies		29
ADDITIONAL FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION BY NEW VALLEY STOCKHOLDERS			36
FINANCIAL FORECASTS			37
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION			39
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION			46
	Vector		46
	New Valley		47
THE OFFER			47
	Exchange of Common Shares of New Valley		47
	Timing of the Offer		48
	Extension, Termination and Amendment		49
	Delivery of Vector Common Stock		49
	Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Vector Common Stock		50
	Procedure for Tendering Shares		50
	Withdrawal Rights		51
	Effect of a Tender of Shares		52
	Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		52
	Purpose of the Offer; The Subsequent Merger		55
	Appraisal Rights		56
	Conditions of the Offer		58
CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS AND REGULATORY APPROVALS			62
	U.S. Approvals		62
	Non-U.S. Approvals		62


		Page

	State Takeover Laws		62
	Stockholder Litigation		63
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER			63
	Effects on the Market		63
	Exchange Act Registration		63
	Financing of the Offer		63
	Conduct of New Valley if the Offer is Not Completed		64
	Relationships with New Valley		64
	Accounting Treatment		66
	Fees and Expenses		66
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER			67
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NEW VALLEY COMMON SHARES AND HOLDERS OF VECTOR COMMON STOCK			71
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			74
VECTOR SEC FILINGS			74
NEW VALLEY SEC FILINGS			75
LEGAL MATTERS			75
EXPERTS			75
MISCELLANEOUS			76
ANNEXES:
	ANNEX A — INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF VECTOR AND VGR HOLDING		A-1
	ANNEX B — INTERESTS OF VECTOR AND THE DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND AFFILIATES OF VECTOR IN SHARES OF NEW VALLEY		B-1
	ANNEX C — SECTION 262 OF GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE		C-1
	ANNEX D — OPINION OF JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.		D-1

As permitted under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, this Prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Vector and New Valley that is contained in documents filed with the SEC but that is not included in or delivered with this Prospectus. You may obtain copies of these documents, without charge, from the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, as well as other sources. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 74.

You may also obtain copies of these documents, without charge, upon written or oral request to our Information Agent, Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc., at (877) 388-2794 (toll free), or from our Dealer Manager for this offer, Georgeson Shareholder Securities Corporation, collect at (212) 440-9800. To obtain timely delivery of copies of these documents, you should request them no later than five business days prior to the expiration of this offer. Unless this offer is extended, the latest you should request copies of these documents is Tuesday, November 22, 2005.

Except as otherwise specifically noted, “we”, “our”, “us” and similar words in this Prospectus refer to VGR Holding Inc., or “VGR Holding”, and/or Vector Group Ltd., or “Vector”. In addition, we refer to New Valley Corporation as “New Valley”.

In “Questions and Answers About the Offer” below and in the “Summary” beginning on page 1, we highlight selected information from this Prospectus but we have not included all of the information that may be important to you. To better understand the offer and the subsequent merger and for a more complete description of their legal terms, you should read carefully this entire Prospectus, including the Annexes, as well as the documents we have incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 74.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE OFFER


Q.		Why Are We Making The Offer?

A.		We currently own 12,849,118 outstanding common shares of New Valley, representing approximately 57.7% of all of the outstanding common shares of New Valley. We are making the offer for the purpose of acquiring all of the remaining outstanding common shares of New Valley, in order to combine New Valley with Vector.

Q.		What Will I Receive In Exchange For The Common Shares Of New Valley That I Tender Into The Offer?

A.		If we successfully complete the offer, you will receive 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock in exchange for each common share of New Valley that you validly tender into the offer. We will not issue fractional shares of Vector common stock. Instead, any New Valley stockholder entitled to receive a fractional share of Vector common stock will receive cash in an amount equal to the fraction, multiplied by the closing price of a share of Vector common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day before the time that the offer expires. See “The Offer — Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Vector Common Stock” on page 50.

Q.		What Are The Potential Benefits Of This Offer To New Valley Stockholders?

A.		We believe that this offer should be attractive to New Valley stockholders for the reasons described elsewhere in this Prospectus as well as for the following reasons:

		• based on the closing price of Vector common stock on September 26, 2005, the last day prior to our announcement of this offer, the value of the consideration we are offering for each New Valley common share was $9.00, representing a premium of 21% over $7.45, the last closing price for New Valley common shares before we announced the offer on September 27, 2005;

		• if we successfully complete the offer, you will hold shares in a larger combined company which we believe will have a more liquid market for its shares than New Valley on a stand-alone basis;

iii


		• as a result of your exchange of common shares of New Valley for shares of Vector common stock, you will become entitled to receive quarterly cash dividends from Vector, which we expect to continue to pay at our current quarterly rate of $0.40 per share. See “Comparative Per Share Market Price and Dividend Information — Vector — Vector Dividend Policy” on page 46. New Valley does not currently pay a regular cash dividend with respect to its shares; and

		• you will have the opportunity to continue to participate in New Valley’s growth through your ownership of shares of Vector common stock.

Q.		What Are Some Of The Other Factors I Should Consider In Deciding Whether To Tender My Common Shares Of New Valley?

A.		In addition to the factors described elsewhere in this Prospectus, you should consider the following:

		• the exchange ratio reflects a value of approximately $9.00 per common share of New Valley, based on the closing price of Vector common stock on September 26, 2005, the last trading day prior to our announcement of the 0.461 exchange ratio for our offer. This value is above the closing price of New Valley common shares on September 26, 2005, $7.45, and above the highest closing price at which common shares of New Valley had closed in the one year period before the announcement of our offer, $7.63, which was reached on August 25, 2005. However, this value is below the closing price of New Valley common shares of $9.15 on October 5, 2005, the highest price at which common shares of New Valley have closed following the announcement of our offer; and

		• as a stockholder of Vector, your interest in the performance and prospects of New Valley will be only indirect and in proportion to your share ownership in Vector. You therefore may not realize the same financial benefits of any future appreciation in the value of New Valley that you may realize if the offer and subsequent merger were not completed and you were to remain a New Valley stockholder.

		We describe various factors New Valley stockholders should consider in deciding whether to tender their shares under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 and “Additional Factors for Consideration by New Valley Stockholders” beginning on page 36.

Q.		If I Decide Not To Tender, How Will This Affect The Offer And My Common Shares Of New Valley?

A.		We will not acquire any common shares of New Valley in the offer unless New Valley stockholders (other than Vector and its subsidiaries) have tendered into the offer, and not withdrawn, as of the expiration of the offer, a sufficient number of common shares of New Valley such that we would hold following the offer at least 90% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley. Your failure to tender your common shares of New Valley will reduce the likelihood that we will receive tenders of a sufficient number of common shares of New Valley to be able to complete the offer. See “The Offer — Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58.

		If you do not tender your common shares of New Valley and we nonetheless successfully complete the offer, as permitted under Delaware law, we would then effect a “short form” merger with New Valley without the approval of New Valley’s board of directors or the remaining holders of New Valley’s common shares. We will effect this subsequent merger as soon as practicable after we complete the offer unless we are prevented from doing so by a court or other legal requirement. Each common share of New Valley that we do not own or acquire in the offer would be converted in the subsequent merger into the right to receive 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock, and cash instead of fractional shares, unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law. See “The Offer — Purpose of the Offer; The Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 55 and “The Offer — Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 56.

		If we do not successfully complete the offer, your common shares of New Valley will remain outstanding and we expect that New Valley will remain a majority owned subsidiary of Vector. See


		“Certain Effects of the Offer — Conduct of New Valley if the Offer is Not Completed” beginning on page 64.

Q.		How Long Will It Take To Complete The Offer And The Subsequent “Short Form” Merger?

A.		We hope to complete the offer promptly after its expiration at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, December 1, 2005. However, we may extend the offer if the conditions to the offer have not been satisfied as of the offer’s scheduled expiration or if we are required to extend the offer pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC. We will complete the subsequent merger as soon as practicable after the successful completion of the offer, unless a court or other legal requirement prevents us from doing so.

Q.		Has The New Valley Board Formed A Special Committee Of Independent Directors To Evaluate Vector’s Offer?

A.		Yes, we understand that New Valley has formed a special committee consisting of independent directors Arnold I. Burns (Chairman), Ronald J. Kramer, Barry W. Ridings and Victor M. Rivas to evaluate our offer.

Q.		Has New Valley’s Board Of Directors Made A Recommendation Concerning The Offer?

A.		We do not know whether the New Valley board will make a recommendation. Under SEC rules, New Valley will be required to make a recommendation or state that it is neutral or is unable to take a position with respect to the offer, and file with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 describing its position, if any, and related matters, no later than ten business days from the date of the distribution of this Prospectus. New Valley is also required to send to you a copy of its Schedule 14D-9. In evaluating this offer, you should be aware that four of eight members of the New Valley board are Vector directors and/or executive officers. For additional information on interests that New Valley’s board members and executive officers may have in the offer and subsequent merger, see “Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 67.

Q.		Has Vector Negotiated, Or Sought The Approval Of, The Terms Of This Offer Or The Subsequent Merger With New Valley?

A.		No. We have not negotiated the terms of this offer or the subsequent merger with New Valley, its board of directors or any special committee of its board. Moreover, we have not requested that New Valley, its board of directors or any special committee of its board approve this offer.

Q.		What Percentage Of Vector Common Stock Will Current New Valley Stockholders Receive After The Successful Completion Of The Offer And Subsequent Merger?

A.		We anticipate that the completion of the offer and subsequent merger will result in the exchange of the outstanding common shares of New Valley that we do not currently own into approximately 8.9% of the shares of Vector’s common stock outstanding at the conclusion of the transactions, without regard to outstanding stock options or outstanding series of convertible notes of Vector, and 6.4% on a fully diluted basis. In general, this assumes that:

		• up to approximately 4,339,000 shares of Vector common stock would be issued in the offer and the subsequent merger and, if all New Valley stock options vest and are exercised by the holders thereof, up to a maximum of approximately an additional 4,433,000 shares of Vector common stock would be issued;

		• 44,592,890 shares of Vector common stock are outstanding before giving effect to the completion of the offer and the subsequent merger; and

		• no New Valley stockholders exercise appraisal rights.

		The holders of Vector common stock are entitled to one vote for each share they hold. The former stockholders of New Valley, who would receive Vector common stock, will, therefore, receive approximately 8.9% of the outstanding voting power of Vector immediately following the offer and the


		subsequent merger, without regard to outstanding stock options or outstanding series of convertible notes of Vector, and 6.4% of the voting power on a fully diluted basis.

Q.		What Are The Most Significant Conditions To The Offer?

A.		The offer is conditioned upon, among other things, satisfaction of the minimum tender condition. In particular, there must be validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer, at least 7,185,429 shares (based on the number of outstanding common shares of New Valley as of the date of this Prospectus) such that, after giving effect to the offer, we own at least 90% of the total number of outstanding common shares of New Valley (or 22,260,607, as of October 19, 2005). If this minimum tender condition is satisfied, more than a majority of the minority stockholders of New Valley (i.e., stockholders unaffiliated with Vector and its subsidiaries and stockholders who are not directors or officers of New Valley) will have also validly tendered and not properly withdrawn their common shares of New Valley in our offer. We will not waive this minimum tender condition. In addition, the following conditions, among others, must also be met:

		• the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus is a part, having been declared effective by the SEC;

		• the issuance of certain shares of Vector common stock to be issued in the offer and the subsequent merger having been approved by Vector stockholders entitled to vote thereon;

		• the shares of Vector common stock to be issued in the offer and the subsequent merger having been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange;

		• the absence of any event that would be expected to have an adverse effect on New Valley such that, regardless of the circumstances, in our good faith judgment, it would be inadvisable to proceed with the offer;

		• we are satisfied with the status of the New Valley stockholder litigations against us which are pending, including any appeals; and

		• the absence of legal impediments to the offer or the subsequent merger.

		These conditions and other conditions to the offer are discussed in this Prospectus under “The Offer — Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58.

Q.		Will I Be Taxed On The Vector Common Stock That I Receive?

A.		The offer and the subsequent merger are intended to qualify as a reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes under which you would generally not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of shares of Vector common stock in exchange for your common shares of New Valley, other than any gain or loss recognized on the receipt of cash instead of fractional shares. However, there is no condition to the offer relating to the tax-free treatment of the offer and the subsequent merger. See “The Offer — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 52. The tax consequences to you will depend on the facts and circumstances of your own situation. Please consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you.

Q.		Do The Statements On The Cover Page Regarding This Prospectus Being Subject To Change And The Registration Statement Filed With The SEC Not Yet Being Effective Mean That The Offer Has Not Commenced?

A.		No. As permitted under SEC rules, we have commenced the offer without the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus is a part, having been declared effective by the SEC. We cannot, however, complete the offer and accept for exchange any common shares of New Valley tendered in the offer until the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and the other conditions to our offer have been satisfied or, where permissible, waived.


Q.		Are Vector’s Business, Prospects And Financial Condition Relevant To My Decision To Tender My Shares In The Offer?

A.		Yes. Common shares of New Valley accepted in the offer will be exchanged for shares of Vector common stock and therefore you should consider Vector’s business, prospects and financial condition before you decide whether to tender your shares in the offer. In considering our business, prospects and financial condition, you should review the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus because they contain detailed business, financial and other information about us. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 74.

Q.		Whom Can I Call With Questions About The Offer?

A.		You can contact our Information Agent or Dealer Manager for the offer:

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc.

17 State Street, 10th Floor

New York, NY 10004

(877) 388-2794 (Toll Free)

Banks and Brokerage Firms please call:

(212) 440-9800

The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:

Georgeson Shareholder Securities Corporation

17 State Street, 10th Floor

New York, NY 10004

(212) 440-9800

vii

SUMMARY

Introduction

We are proposing to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of New Valley that we do not already own. We currently own 12,849,118 common shares of New Valley, representing approximately 57.7% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley.

We are offering to exchange 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock for each outstanding common share of New Valley, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal. We will not acquire any shares of New Valley in the offer unless New Valley stockholders (other than Vector and its subsidiaries) have validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer a number of common shares of New Valley such that, after giving effect to the offer, we own at least 90% of the total number of outstanding common shares of New Valley. If this minimum tender condition is satisfied, more than a majority of the minority stockholders of New Valley (i.e., stockholders unaffiliated with Vector and its subsidiaries and stockholders who are not directors or officers of New Valley) will have also validly tendered and not properly withdrawn their common shares of New Valley in our offer. We will not waive this minimum tender condition. As of October 19, 2005, there were 22,260,607 common shares of New Valley outstanding. Accordingly, for us to acquire any common shares of New Valley, stockholders of New Valley must, based on this information as to New Valley’s outstanding shares, have tendered into the offer, and not withdrawn, as of the expiration of the offer, at least 7,185,429 common shares of New Valley (based on the number of outstanding common shares of New Valley as of the date of this Prospectus). These share numbers would change as a result of changes in New Valley’s share capitalization, such as through the exercise of outstanding stock options. There are also other conditions to the offer that are described under “The Offer — Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58.

If we successfully complete the offer, we would then own at least 90% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley and be permitted under Delaware law to effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley without the approval of New Valley’s board or remaining stockholders. We will effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley as soon as practicable after we complete the offer unless we are prevented from doing so by a court or other legal requirement. Each outstanding common share of New Valley we do not own or acquire in the offer would be converted in the subsequent merger into the right to receive 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock and cash instead of fractional shares, the same consideration per common share of New Valley you would have received if you had tendered your shares into the offer, unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law. See “The Offer — Purpose of the Offer; The Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 55 and “The Offer — Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 56. After completion of the subsequent merger, New Valley will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector.

Information About Vector and New Valley

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

100 S.E. Second Street

Miami, Florida 33131

(305) 579-8000

Vector, a Delaware corporation, is a holding company for a number of businesses. We hold these businesses through our wholly-owned subsidiary VGR Holding. In addition to our ownership of a 57.7% interest in New Valley, we are engaged principally in:


	•	the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States through our subsidiary Liggett Group Inc., and

	•	the development and marketing of the low nicotine and nicotine-free QUEST cigarette products and the development of reduced risk cigarette products through our subsidiary Vector Tobacco Inc.

We are controlled by Bennett S. LeBow, our Chairman and the Chairman of New Valley, who beneficially owns approximately 33.4% of our common stock.

NEW VALLEY CORPORATION

100 S.E. Second Street

Miami, Florida 33131

(305) 579-8000

New Valley, a Delaware corporation, is engaged in the real estate business and is seeking to acquire additional real estate properties and operating companies. New Valley owns a 50% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which operates the largest residential real estate brokerage company in the New York City metropolitan area. New Valley also holds, through its New Valley Realty Division, 50% interests in the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. In February 2005, New Valley completed the sale of its two commercial office buildings in Princeton, N.J.

New Valley was originally organized under the laws of New York in 1851 and operated for many years under the name “Western Union Corporation”. In 1991, bankruptcy proceedings were commenced against New Valley. In January 1995, New Valley emerged from bankruptcy. As part of the plan of reorganization, New Valley sold the Western Union money transfer and messaging services businesses and all allowed claims in the bankruptcy were paid in full.

The Offer

Exchange of Common Shares of New Valley

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the offer, promptly after the expiration of the offer we will accept common shares of New Valley which are validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in exchange for newly issued shares of Vector common stock. We are offering to exchange 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock for each outstanding common share of New Valley not already owned by us.

Timing of the Offer

We are commencing the offer on October 20, 2005, the date of the distribution of this Prospectus. Our offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, December 1, 2005, unless we extend the period of the offer. All references to the expiration of the offer mean the time of expiration, as extended. For more information, see the discussion under “— Extension, Termination and Amendment” below.

Extension, Termination and Amendment

We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to extend, on one or more occasions, the period of time during which the offer remains open, and we can do so by giving oral or written notice of extension to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Exchange Agent and Depositary for the offer. If we decide to extend the offer, we will make an announcement to that effect no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration. We are not giving any assurance that we will exercise our right to extend the offer. During any extension, all common shares of New Valley previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain deposited with the Exchange Agent and Depositary, subject to your right to withdraw your common shares of New Valley as described under “— Withdrawal Rights” below. We do not intend to have a subsequent offering period.

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to delay, on one or more occasions, our acceptance for exchange of common shares of New Valley pursuant to our offer. We also reserve the right to terminate our offer and not accept for exchange any common shares of New Valley, upon the failure of any of the conditions of the offer to be satisfied or, where permissible, waived, or otherwise to amend the offer in any

respect (except as described below), by giving oral or written notice of delay, termination or amendment to the Exchange Agent and Depositary and by making a public announcement.

We will follow any extension, delay, termination or amendment, as promptly as practicable, with a public announcement. Subject to applicable law, including Rules 14d-4(c) and 14d-6(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which require that any material change in the information published, sent or given to the stockholders in connection with the offer be promptly sent to stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform stockholders of the change, and without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we assume no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any public announcement other than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service.

Delivery of Vector Common Stock

We will accept for exchange common shares of New Valley validly tendered and not properly withdrawn promptly after the expiration of the offer and will exchange Vector common stock and cash instead of fractional shares for the tendered common shares of New Valley as soon as practicable afterwards. In all cases, exchange of common shares of New Valley tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the offer will be made only if the Exchange Agent and Depositary timely receives (1) certificates for those common shares of New Valley, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those common shares of New Valley in the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, or a manually signed copy, and any other required documents; or (2) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those common shares of New Valley in the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC, together with an “agent’s message” as described below under “— Procedure for Tendering Shares”.

Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw any common shares of New Valley you previously tendered into the offer at any time before the expiration of the offer. After the expiration of the offer, tenders are irrevocable. However, if we have not accepted tendered shares for exchange by Saturday, December 17, 2005, you may withdraw tendered shares at any time thereafter prior to their acceptance for exchange.

Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Vector Common Stock

We will not issue any fraction of a share of Vector common stock pursuant to the offer or the subsequent merger. Instead, each tendering stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Vector common stock, after combining all fractional shares to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled, will receive cash in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the fraction of a share of Vector common stock to which the holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the closing price of Vector common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day before the time that the offer expires.

Procedure for Tendering Shares

For you to validly tender common shares of New Valley into our offer, you must do one of the following:


	•	deliver certificates for your shares, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or a copy thereof that has been manually signed, along with any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent and Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus prior to the expiration of the offer;

	•	arrange for a book-entry transfer of your shares to be made to the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC and receipt by the Exchange Agent and Depositary of a confirmation of this transfer prior to the expiration of the offer, and the delivery of a properly completed and


		duly executed Letter of Transmittal or a copy thereof that has been manually signed, and any other required documents to the Exchange Agent and Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus prior to the expiration of the offer; or

	•	arrange for a book-entry transfer of your shares to the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC and receipt by the Exchange Agent and Depositary of confirmation of this transfer, including an “agent’s message”, prior to the expiration of the offer.

These deliveries and arrangements must be made before the expiration of the offer. Tenders by Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will not be accepted.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The offer and the subsequent merger are intended to qualify as a reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes under which you would generally not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of shares of Vector common stock in exchange for your common shares of New Valley, other than any gain or loss recognized on the receipt of cash instead of fractional shares. However, there is no condition to the offer relating to the tax-free treatment of the offer and the subsequent merger. The tax consequences to you will depend on the facts and circumstances of your own situation. Please consult your tax adviser for a full understanding of the tax consequences to you.

Regulatory Approvals

We are not aware of any license or regulatory permit material to the business of New Valley and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, that may be materially adversely affected by our acquisition of New Valley’s common shares, or any filing or approval that would be required for our acquisition of New Valley’s common shares. We intend to make all required filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act. We are unaware of any requirement for the filing of information with, or the obtaining of the approval of, governmental authorities in any non-U.S. jurisdiction that is applicable to the offer or the subsequent merger.

Appraisal Rights

Under Delaware law, you will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the offer. However, appraisal rights, if properly perfected, are available in connection with the subsequent “short form” merger.

Accounting Treatment

Our acquisition of the New Valley common shares will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Comparison of Rights of Stockholders of New Valley and Stockholders of Vector

If we successfully complete the offer, holders of New Valley’s common shares will become stockholders of Vector, and their rights as stockholders will be governed by Vector’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and its by-laws. There are differences between the certificates of incorporation and by-laws of New Valley and Vector. Since New Valley and Vector are both Delaware corporations, the rights of New Valley stockholders will continue to be governed by Delaware law after the completion of the offer and the subsequent merger.

New Valley Shares Held by Vector Directors, Executive Officers and Affiliates

VGR Holding owns approximately 57.7% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley. The directors and executive officers of Vector and VGR Holding, in the aggregate, own 910,112 of the outstanding common shares of New Valley, representing approximately 4.1% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley. For more details see “Interests of Vector and the Directors, Executive Officers and Affiliates of Vector, in Shares of New Valley” on Annex B of this Prospectus.

Selected Historical Financial Data of Vector and New Valley

We are providing the following selected financial information to assist you in analyzing the financial aspects of the offer and the subsequent merger. We derived the unaudited financial information presented for Vector and for New Valley as of, and for the six-month periods ended, June 30, 2005 and 2004 from Vector’s and New Valley’s respective Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005. We derived the financial information presented for Vector and for New Valley as of, and for each of the five years for the period ended, December 31, 2004, from Vector’s and New Valley’s respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of those years. Per share information for Vector in this Prospectus gives effect to the 5% stock dividend paid on September 29, 2005.

You should read the financial information with respect to Vector and New Valley in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the annual, quarterly and other reports filed by Vector and New Valley with the SEC, which we have incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 74.

Vector Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data


		As of and for the
		Six Months Ended
		June 30,						Year Ended December 31,

		2005			2004			2004			2003			2002			2001			2000

		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues⁽¹⁾		$	217,286		$	246,618		$	498,860		$	529,385		$	503,078		$	447,382		$	415,055
Income (loss) from continuing operations⁽²⁾			18,257			(12,542	)		4,039			(16,132	)		(31,819	)		21,200			165,933
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			3,034			267			2,689			522			25			(537	)		8,285
Net income (loss)			21,291			(12,275	)		6,728			(15,610	)		(31,794	)		20,663			174,218
Per basic common share⁽³⁾:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.41		$	(0.29	)	$	0.09		$	(0.39	)	$	(0.79	)	$	0.59		$	5.53
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	0.07		$	0.01		$	0.06		$	0.02			—		$	(0.01	)	$	0.28
	Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$	0.48		$	(0.28	)	$	0.15		$	(0.37	)	$	(0.79	)	$	0.58		$	5.81
Per diluted common share⁽³⁾:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.40		$	(0.29	)	$	0.09		$	(0.39	)	$	(0.79	)	$	0.49		$	4.70
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	0.06		$	0.01		$	0.06		$	0.02			—		$	(0.01	)	$	0.23
	Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$	0.46		$	(0.28	)	$	0.15		$	(0.37	)	$	(0.79	)	$	0.48		$	4.93
Cash distributions declared per common share ⁽³⁾		$	0.76		$	0.73		$	1.47		$	1.40		$	1.33		$	1.27		$	0.99
Balance Sheet Data:
Current assets		$	282,922		$	236,774		$	242,124		$	314,741		$	376,815		$	515,727		$	269,942
Total assets			527,474			551,504			535,895			628,212			707,270			688,903			425,848
Current liabilities			110,203			131,540			119,835			173,086			184,384			141,629			138,775
Notes payable, embedded derivatives, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion			280,908			297,573			280,289			299,977			307,028			225,415			39,890
Noncurrent employee benefits, deferred income taxes, minority interests and other long-term liabilities			227,786			209,013			220,574			201,624			193,561			208,501			234,734
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)			(91,423	)		(86,622	)		(84,803	)		(46,475	)		22,297			113,358			12,449


(1)	Revenues include excise taxes of $70,443, $90,103, $175,674, $195,342, $192,664, $151,174 and $116,116, respectively.

(2)	Includes a gain of $161,000 in 2000, net of taxes and minority interests, from the sale of Vector’s Russian tobacco business, Liggett Ducat; restructuring charges of $3,500 at Liggett in 2002; restructuring and impairment charges of $21,300 at Vector Tobacco in 2003; and restructuring and impairment charges of $11,100 at Liggett and $2,600 at Vector Tobacco and a $37,000 inventory charge at Vector Tobacco in 2004.

(3)	Per share computations include the impact of 5% stock dividends on September 29, 2005, September 29, 2004, September 29, 2003, September 27, 2002, September 28, 2001 and September 28, 2000.

New Valley Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data


		As of and For the Six
		Months Ended June 30,					Year Ended December 31,

		2005		2004			2004			2003			2002			2001			2000

		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Operating Results:
Total revenues		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	661		$	9,966		$	3,199
Total costs and expenses			7,168		5,638			13,773			11,901			14,391			22,930			18,612
Other results from continuing operations			13,809		11,024			19,227			3,873			(8,446	)		(3,071	)		51,138

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests			6,641		5,386			5,454			(8,028	)		(22,176	)		(16,035	)		35,725
Income tax provision (benefit)			3,027		(456	)		(13,861	)		(952	)		(46	)		260			—
Minority interests in income (loss) from continuing operations of consolidated subsidiaries			—		—			5			(20	)		(151	)		(594	)		(323	)

Income (loss) from continuing operations			3,614		5,842			19,310			(7,056	)		(21,979	)		(15,701	)		36,048
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			231		713			1,220			1,394			67			(5,829	)		5,002
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations			8,290		—			5,927			—			—			4,346			17,879

Income (loss) from discontinued operations			8,521		713			7,147			1,394			67			(1,483	)		22,881

Net income (loss) applicable to common shares		$	12,135	$	6,555		$	26,457		$	(5,662	)	$	(21,912	)	$	(17,184	)	$	58,929

Per common and equivalent share:
Basic:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.15	$	0.27		$	0.87		$	(0.32	)	$	(0.96	)	$	(0.69	)	$	1.57
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		0.37		0.03			0.33			0.06			—			(0.06	)		0.99
	Net income (loss) per common share		0.52		0.30			1.20			(0.26	)		(0.96	)		(0.75	)		2.56
Diluted:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.15	$	0.27		$	0.87		$	(0.32	)	$	(0.96	)	$	(0.69	)	$	1.56
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		0.37		0.03			0.33			0.06			—			(0.06	)		0.99
	Net income (loss) per common share		0.52		0.30			1.20			(0.26	)		(0.96	)		(0.75	)		2.55
Cash dividends declared			—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Book value		$	5.57	$	4.89		$	5.69		$	4.69		$	4.59		$	5.63		$	6.54

Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets		$	135,464	$	164,971		$	175,178		$	161,896		$	163,548		$	162,698		$	263,130
Long-term notes payable			—		38,891			38,569			39,266			39,856			11,142			11,900
Prepetition claims⁽¹⁾			300		600			300			600			674			2,700			10,229
Stockholders’ equity			129,860		108,251			125,636			103,748			103,057			128,480			149,685
Working capital⁽²⁾			99,294		69,300			82,877			70,986			80,159			113,628			72,720


(1)	Represents prepetition claims against New Valley in its bankruptcy case.

(2)	Working capital represents current assets less current liabilities on the New Valley consolidated balance sheets.

Unaudited Comparative Per Share Data

In the following table we present historical per share data for Vector and New Valley, combined pro forma per share data for Vector and equivalent pro forma per share data for New Valley, as of, and for the six months ended, June 30, 2005 and as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2004. We present the pro forma per share data for comparative purposes only. The data does not purport to be indicative of (1) the results of operations or financial position which would have been achieved if the offer and the subsequent merger had been completed at the beginning of the periods or as of the dates indicated, or (2) the results of operations or financial position which may be achieved in the future. The per share data reflects the impact of Vector’s 5% stock dividend paid on September 29, 2005. The pro forma per share data does not reflect any payment that may be required to be made in connection with the exercise of appraisal rights by New Valley stockholders under Delaware law in connection with the subsequent merger.


									New Valley
		Vector			Vector		New Valley		Equivalent
		Historical			Pro Forma		Historical		Pro Forma
		Per Share			Per Share		Per Share		Per Share
		Data			Data(1)(2)(3)		Data		Data(1)

		For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005

Earnings from continuing operations per share of common stock:
	Basic	$	0.41		$	0.39	$	0.15	$	0.18
	Diluted	$	0.40		$	0.38	$	0.15	$	0.18
Cash dividends per share of common stock		$	0.76		$	0.76	$	—	$	0.35
Book value per share of common stock⁽⁴⁾		$	(2.07	)	$	0.40	$	5.57	$	0.19


		For the Year Ended December 31, 2004

Earnings from continuing operations per share of common stock:
	Basic	$	0.09	$	0.25	$	0.87	$	0.12
	Diluted	$	0.09	$	0.24	$	0.87	$	0.11
Cash dividends per share of common stock		$	1.47	$	1.47	$	—	$	0.68


(1)	The Vector unaudited pro forma combined earnings from continuing operations per share and book value per common share are based on New Valley stockholders receiving 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock for each common share of New Valley. The New Valley equivalent unaudited pro forma per share data are calculated by multiplying the unaudited pro forma combined per share data by 0.461.

(2)	Reflects the historical operations of Vector and New Valley adjusted to reflect the impact of purchase accounting by Vector and the issuance of Vector common stock.

(3)	Based on the price of Vector common stock as of September 27, 2005 and the exchange ratio of 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock for each outstanding common share of New Valley, we have estimated a purchase price of approximately $85.6 million for the common shares of New Valley not owned by Vector. For purposes of the calculation of pro forma earnings from continuing operations per share, we have performed a preliminary allocation of this purchase price. Of the $90.5 million total consideration, approximately $17.9 million is estimated to be recorded as goodwill, which will not be subject to amortization.

(4)	Historical book value per share of common stock at June 30, 2005 is computed by dividing stockholders’ equity (deficit) of $(91.4) million and of $129.9 million for Vector and New Valley, respectively, by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2005. Pro forma book value per share is computed by dividing pro forma stockholders’ equity by the pro forma number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2005.

Comparative Per Share Market Data

In the following table we present:


	•	the prices per share of Vector’s common stock and New Valley’s common shares as of the close of trading on September 26, 2005, the day prior to the public announcement of the 0.461 exchange ratio of our offer; and

	•	the equivalent price per share of New Valley’s common shares, based on the exchange ratio.


	Vector		New Valley		New Valley
	Historical		Historical		Equivalent⁽¹⁾

As of closing on September 26, 2005, price per share of common stock	$	19.54	$	7.45	$	9.00


(1)	We calculated the New Valley equivalent data by multiplying the applicable Vector closing price by the exchange ratio in the offer and the subsequent merger of 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock for each common share of New Valley.

On October 19, 2005, the last trading date prior to the printing of this Prospectus for which this information was practicably available, the closing prices per share of Vector common stock and per common share of New Valley were $19.57 and $9.00, respectively.

The market prices of shares of Vector common stock and New Valley common shares are subject to fluctuation. The actual value of the shares of Vector common stock you receive in the offer will likely differ from the values illustrated. You are urged to obtain current market quotations. See “Comparative Per Share Market Price and Dividend Information” beginning on page 46.

Vector Dividend Policy

The holders of shares of Vector common stock receive dividends if and when declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. We currently pay quarterly cash dividends at a rate of $0.40 per share. We currently expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends at this rate on a basis consistent with our past practice following completion of the offer and the subsequent merger. However, payment of dividends is within the discretion of Vector’s board and is subject to a variety of contingencies such as market conditions, earnings and our financial condition as well as the availability of cash. On September 9, 2005, Vector declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share and a 5% stock dividend payable on September 29, 2005 to holders of record of Vector common stock on September 20, 2005. No assurance can be given that we will continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock at the current rate in the future or that stock dividends will be declared in the future.

RISK FACTORS

In deciding whether to tender your shares pursuant to the offer, you should read carefully this Prospectus and the documents which we incorporate by reference into this Prospectus. You should also carefully consider the following factors:

Risks Related to the Offer and the Subsequent Merger


	The number of shares of Vector common stock that you will receive in the offer and the subsequent merger will be based upon a fixed exchange ratio. The value of the shares of Vector common stock at the time you receive them could be less than at the time you tender your common shares of New Valley.

In the offer and the subsequent merger, each common share of New Valley will be exchanged for 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock. This is a fixed exchange ratio. We will not adjust the exchange ratio as a result of any change in the market price of Vector common stock between the date of this Prospectus and the date you receive shares of Vector common stock in exchange for common shares of New Valley. The market price of the Vector common stock will likely be different on the date you receive shares of Vector common stock than it is today because of changes in the business, operations or prospects of Vector, market reactions to our offer, general market and economic conditions and other factors. You are urged to obtain current market quotations for Vector common stock and New Valley common shares. See “Comparative Per Share Market Price and Dividend Information” beginning on page 46.


	The trading price of Vector’s common stock may be affected by factors in addition to those factors affecting the price of New Valley’s common shares. The price of Vector’s common stock could decline following the offer.

If we successfully complete the offer and the subsequent merger, holders of New Valley’s common shares will become holders of Vector’s common stock. Although we currently own approximately 57.7% of New Valley’s outstanding common shares, we also own and operate other businesses. Accordingly, our results of operations and business, as well as the trading price of our common stock, may be affected by factors in addition to those affecting New Valley’s results of operations and business and the price of New Valley’s common shares. The price of Vector’s common stock may decrease after we accept common shares of New Valley for exchange in the offer and complete the subsequent merger.


	*We have not negotiated with or sought approval of the price or terms of the offer or the subsequent merger from New Valley’s board.*

In evaluating this offer, you should be aware that we have not negotiated the price or terms of this offer or the subsequent merger with New Valley, its board of directors or any special committee of its board. We have also not requested that New Valley, its board of directors or any special committee of its board approve this offer or the subsequent merger. New Valley will be required, however, under the rules of the SEC, to either make a recommendation, or state that it is neutral or is unable to take a position with respect to the offer, and file with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 describing its position, if any, and certain related information, no later than ten business days from the date of the distribution of this Prospectus.


	*The board of directors and executive officers of New Valley have potential conflicts of interests with respect to the offer.*

You should be aware that there exist conflicts of interest among members of the New Valley board. Not only does Vector own approximately 57.7% of the outstanding New Valley common shares, but four of the eight members of the New Valley board are directors and/or executive officers of Vector. For additional information on the interests that New Valley’s board members and executive officers may have in the offer and subsequent merger, see “Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 67.


	*The offer and the subsequent merger may not qualify as a tax-free reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes.*

The offer and the subsequent merger are intended to qualify as a “reorganization” for United States federal income tax purposes under which you would generally not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of shares of Vector common stock in exchange for your common shares of New Valley, other than any gain or loss recognized on the receipt of cash instead of fractional shares. If the offer and the subsequent merger are consummated but fail to be treated as a “reorganization” for United States federal income tax purposes, however, the offer and the subsequent merger will be taxable to you. Reorganization treatment depends on numerous factors. If the subsequent merger does not qualify as a reorganization, you would generally be taxed on any gain you realize upon the receipt of shares of Vector common stock in exchange for your common shares of New Valley in the offer or the subsequent merger. The offer does not include a condition relating to the tax-free treatment of the offer and the subsequent merger.


	*We may not be able to effect the “short form” merger even if a sufficient number of common shares of New Valley are tendered in the offer.*

We will promptly complete a “short form” merger following the completion of the offer unless we are prevented from doing so by a court or other legal requirement. However, if we successfully complete the offer but are not able to complete promptly the “short form” merger, common shares of New Valley not tendered into the offer would remain outstanding until we are able to effect such a merger, if ever. In these circumstances, the liquidity of and market for those remaining publicly held common shares of New Valley could be adversely affected. New Valley’s common shares are currently listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Depending upon the number of common shares of New Valley purchased in the offer, New Valley’s common shares may no longer meet the requirements for continued listing and may be delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market. It is possible that New Valley’s common shares would continue to trade in the over-the-counter market and that price quotations would be reported by other sources. The extent of the public market for New Valley’s common shares and the availability of these quotations would depend, however, upon the number of holders of New Valley’s common shares remaining at that time, the interests in maintaining a market in New Valley’s common shares on the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act, as described below, and other factors.

In addition, New Valley’s registration under the Exchange Act could be terminated upon application of New Valley to the SEC if the shares are no longer listed on a securities exchange and there are fewer than 300 holders of record of New Valley common shares. The termination of the registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act would substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by New Valley to its stockholders and to the SEC. It would also make certain of the provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement in connection with stockholders’ meetings, the related requirement of an annual report to stockholders, and the requirements of SEC Rule 13e-3 with respect to going private transactions, no longer applicable.

Common shares of New Valley are currently “margin securities” under the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. This has the effect of allowing brokers to extend credit on common shares of New Valley as collateral. Depending on factors similar to those described above regarding listing and market quotations, it is possible that New Valley’s common shares would no longer constitute “margin securities” for purposes of the Federal Reserve Board’s margin regulations. If registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act is terminated, New Valley’s common shares would no longer be “margin securities”.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our business activities are subject to hazards and risks. The following is a summary of the material risks relating to our business activities. Before tendering your common shares of New Valley in the offer,

you should carefully consider the material risks described below, as well as the other information contained in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 74. If any of the events described below occur, our business, financial condition and/or results of operations could be materially harmed, and you could lose part or all of your investment.


	*We and our subsidiaries have a substantial amount of indebtedness.*

We and our subsidiaries have significant indebtedness and debt service obligations. At June 30, 2005, we and our subsidiaries had total outstanding indebtedness (including embedded derivative liability and beneficial conversion feature related to convertible notes) of $302.1 million. In addition, subject to the terms of any future agreements, we and our subsidiaries will be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future. There is a risk that we will not be able to generate sufficient funds to repay our debt. If we cannot service our fixed charges, it would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.


	We are a holding company and depend on cash payments from subsidiaries, which are subject to contractual and other restrictions, in order to service our debt and to pay dividends on our common stock.

We are a holding company and have no operations of our own. We hold our interests in our various businesses through our wholly-owned subsidiary, VGR Holding. In addition to our own cash resources, our ability to pay interest on our convertible notes and to pay dividends on our common stock depends on the ability of VGR Holding to make cash available to us. VGR Holding’s ability to pay dividends to us depends primarily on the ability of Liggett Group Inc., or Liggett, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and New Valley, in which we indirectly hold an approximately 57.7% interest, to generate cash and make it available to VGR Holding. Liggett’s revolving credit agreement permits Liggett to pay cash dividends to VGR Holding only if Liggett’s borrowing availability exceeds $5.0 million for the 30 days prior to payment of the dividend and immediately after giving effect to the dividend, and so long as no event of default has occurred under the agreement, including Liggett’s compliance with the covenants in the credit facility, including an adjusted net worth and working capital requirement.

As the controlling stockholder of New Valley, we must deal fairly with New Valley, which may limit our ability to enter into transactions with New Valley that result in the receipt of cash from New Valley and to influence New Valley’s dividend policy. In addition, since we indirectly own only approximately 57.7% of the common shares of New Valley, a significant portion of any cash and other assets distributed by New Valley will be received by persons other than us and our subsidiaries. This risk would be eliminated if we successfully complete our offer and subsequent “short form” merger.

Our receipt of cash payments, as dividends or otherwise, from our subsidiaries is an important source of our liquidity and capital resources. If we do not have sufficient cash resources of our own and do not receive payments from our subsidiaries in an amount sufficient to repay our debts and to pay dividends on our common stock, we must obtain additional funds from other sources. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain additional funds at all or on terms acceptable to us. Our inability to service these obligations and to continue to pay dividends on our common stock would significantly harm us and the value of our common stock.


	Our liquidity could be adversely affected if taxing authorities prevail in their assertion that we incurred a tax obligation in 1998 and 1999 in connection with the Philip Morris brand transaction.

In connection with the 1998 and 1999 transaction with Philip Morris Incorporated, in which a subsidiary of Liggett contributed three of its premium cigarette brands to Trademarks LLC, or Trademarks, a newly-formed limited liability company, we recognized in 1999 a pre-tax gain of $294.1 million in our consolidated financial statements and established a deferred tax liability of $103.1 million relating to the gain. In such transaction, Philip Morris acquired an option to purchase the remaining interest in Trademarks for a 90-day period commencing in December 2008, and we have an

option to require Philip Morris to purchase the remaining interest for a 90-day period commencing in March 2010. Upon exercise of the options during either of the 90-day periods commencing in December 2008 or in March 2010, we will be required to pay tax in the amount of the deferred tax liability, which will be offset by the benefit of any deferred tax assets, including any net operating losses, available to us at that time. In connection with an examination of our 1998 and 1999 federal income tax returns, the Internal Revenue Service issued to us in September 2003 a notice of proposed adjustment. The notice asserts that, for tax reporting purposes, the entire gain should have been recognized in 1998 and in 1999 in the additional amounts of $150.0 million and $129.9 million, respectively, rather than upon the exercise of the options during either of the 90-day periods commencing in December 2008 or in March 2010. If the Internal Revenue Service were to ultimately prevail with the proposed adjustment, it would result in the potential acceleration of tax payments of approximately $124.0 million, including interest, net of tax benefits, through June 30, 2005. These amounts have been previously recognized in our consolidated financial statements as tax liabilities. In addition, we have filed a protest with the Appeals Division of the Internal Revenue Service. Although no payment is due with respect to these matters during the appeal process, interest is accruing on the disputed amounts.

There is a risk that the taxing authorities will ultimately prevail in their assertion that we incurred a tax obligation prior to the exercise dates of these options and we will be required to make such tax payments prior to 2009 or 2010. If that were to occur and any necessary financing were not available to us, our liquidity could be materially adversely affected, which in turn would materially adversely affect the value of our common stock.


	*Liggett faces intense competition in the domestic tobacco industry.*

Liggett is considerably smaller and has fewer resources than its major competitors and, as a result, has a more limited ability to respond to market developments. Management Science Associates data indicate that the three largest cigarette manufacturers controlled approximately 83.2% of the United States cigarette market during 2004. Philip Morris is the largest and most profitable manufacturer in the market, and its profits are derived principally from its sale of premium cigarettes. Philip Morris had approximately 62.3% of the premium segment and 47.5% of the total domestic market during 2004. During 2004, all of Liggett’s sales were in the discount segment, and its share of the total domestic cigarette market was 2.3%. Philip Morris and RJR Tobacco (which is now part of Reynolds American Inc., or Reynolds American), the two largest cigarette manufacturers, have historically, because of their dominant market share, been able to determine cigarette prices for the various pricing tiers within the industry. Market pressures have historically caused the other cigarette manufacturers to bring their prices into line with the levels established by these two major manufacturers.

In July 2004, RJR Tobacco and Brown & Williamson, the second and third largest cigarette manufacturers, completed the combination of their United States tobacco businesses to create Reynolds American. This transaction has further consolidated the dominance of the domestic cigarette market by Philip Morris and the newly created Reynolds American, who had an initial combined market share of approximately 76%. This concentration of United States market share could make it more difficult for Liggett and Vector Tobacco to compete for shelf space in retail outlets and could impact price competition in the market, either of which could have a material adverse affect on their sales volume, operating income and cash flows, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.


	*Liggett’s business is highly dependent on the discount cigarette segment.*

Liggett depends more on sales in the discount cigarette segment of the market, relative to the full-price premium segment, than its major competitors. All of Liggett’s unit volume in 2004, and approximately 94.6% of Liggett’s unit sales in 2003, were generated in the discount segment. The discount segment is highly competitive, with consumers having less brand loyalty and placing greater emphasis on price. While the three major manufacturers all compete with Liggett in the discount segment of the market, the strongest competition for market share has recently come from a group of small manufacturers and importers, most of which sell low quality, deep discount cigarettes. While Liggett’s share of the

discount market increased to 7.4% in 2004 from 7.3% in 2003 and 6.7% in 2002, Management Science Associates data indicate that the discount market share of these other smaller manufacturers and importers increased to 39% in 2004 from 37.8% in 2003 and 33.5% in 2002 due to their increased competitive discounting. If pricing in the discount market continues to be impacted by these smaller manufacturers and importers, margins in Liggett’s only current market segment could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.


	*Liggett’s market share is susceptible to decline.*

In years prior to 2000, Liggett suffered a substantial decline in unit sales and associated market share. Liggett’s unit sales and market share increased during each of 2000, 2001 and 2002, and its market share increased in 2003 while its unit sales declined. During 2004, Liggett’s unit sales and market share declined compared to the prior year. This earlier market share erosion resulted in part from Liggett’s highly leveraged capital structure that existed until December 1998 and its limited ability to match other competitors’ wholesale and retail trade programs, obtain retail shelf space for its products and advertise its brands. The decline in recent years also resulted from adverse developments in the tobacco industry, intense competition and changes in consumer preferences. According to Management Science Associates data, Liggett’s overall domestic market share during 2004 was 2.3% compared to 2.4% during 2003 and 2002. Liggett’s share of the premium segment was 0.2% in 2003 and 0.3% in 2002, and its share of the discount segment during 2004 was 7.4%, up from 7.3% in 2003 and 6.7% in 2002. If Liggett’s market share continues to decline, Liggett’s sales volume, operating income and cash flows could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.


	*The domestic cigarette industry has experienced declining unit sales in recent periods.*

Industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States have been generally declining for a number of years, with published industry sources estimating that domestic industry-wide shipments decreased by approximately 1.7% during 2004. According to Management Science Associates data, domestic industry-wide shipments decreased by 4.1% in 2003 compared to 2002. Liggett’s management believes that industry-wide shipments of cigarettes in the United States will generally continue to decline as a result of numerous factors. These factors include health considerations, diminishing social acceptance of smoking, and a wide variety of federal, state and local laws limiting smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places, as well as federal and state excise tax increases and settlement-related expenses which have contributed to high cigarette price levels in recent years. If this decline in industry-wide shipments continues and Liggett is unable to capture market share from its competitors, or if the industry as a whole is unable to offset the decline in unit sales with price increases, Liggett’s sales volume, operating income and cash flows could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.


	*Litigation and regulation will continue to harm the tobacco industry.*

The cigarette industry continues to be challenged on numerous fronts. New cases continue to be commenced against Liggett and other cigarette manufacturers. As of June 30, 2005, there were approximately 361 individual suits, 11 purported class actions and nine governmental and other third-party payor health care reimbursement actions pending in the United States in which Liggett was a named defendant. A civil lawsuit has been filed by the United States federal government seeking disgorgement of approximately $289 billion from various cigarette manufacturers, including Liggett. A federal appellate court ruled in February 2005 that disgorgement is not an available remedy in the case. In October 2005, the United States Supreme Court declined to review this decision. Trial of the case concluded on June 15, 2005. On June 27, 2005, the government sought to restructure its potential remedies and filed a proposed Final Judgment and Order. That relief can be grouped into four categories: (1) a cessation and counter marketing program; (2) so-called “corrective statements”; (3) disclosures; and (4) enjoined activities. The judge has directed the parties to file various post-trial submissions between August 8, 2005 and October 9, 2005. In one of the other cases pending against Liggett, in 2000, an action against cigarette manufacturers

involving approximately 1,000 named individual plaintiffs was consolidated before a single West Virginia state court. Liggett is a defendant in most of the cases pending in West Virginia. In January 2002, the court severed Liggett from the trial of the consolidated action. Two purported class actions have been certified in state court in Kansas and New Mexico against the cigarette manufacturers for alleged antitrust violations. As new cases are commenced, the costs associated with defending these cases and the risks relating to the inherent unpredictability of litigation continue to increase.

There are six individual actions where Liggett is the only defendant, with trial in one of these cases currently scheduled for October 2005 and trial in another scheduled for November 2005. In April 2004, in one of these cases, a jury in a Florida state court action awarded compensatory damages of $0.5 million against Liggett. In addition, plaintiff’s counsel was awarded legal fees of $0.8 million. Liggett has appealed the verdict. In February 2005, in another of these cases, a Florida state court jury returned a verdict in favor of Liggett. In July 2005, the court denied the plaintiff’s post-trial motion seeking a new trial. The plaintiff did not appeal the decision. In March 2005, in another case in Florida state court in which Liggett is the only defendant, the court granted Liggett’s motion for summary judgment disposing of the case in its entirety. The plaintiff has appealed.

In May 2003, a Florida intermediate appellate court overturned a $790 million punitive damages award against Liggett and decertified the Engle smoking and health class action. In May 2004, the Florida Supreme Court agreed to review the case. Oral argument was held in November 2004. If the intermediate appellate court’s ruling is not upheld on appeal, it will have a material adverse effect on us. In November 2000, Liggett filed the $3.45 million bond required under the bonding statute enacted in 2000 by the Florida legislature which limits the size of any bond required, pending appeal, to stay execution of a punitive damages verdict. In May 2001, Liggett reached an agreement with the class in the Engle case, which provided assurance to Liggett that the stay of execution, in effect under the Florida bonding statute, would not be lifted or limited at any point until completion of all appeals, including to the United States Supreme Court. As required by the agreement, Liggett paid $6.27 million into an escrow account to be held for the benefit of the Engle class, and released, along with Liggett’s existing $3.45 million statutory bond, to the court for the benefit of the class upon completion of the appeals process, regardless of the outcome of the appeal. In June 2002, the jury in an individual case brought under the third phase of the Engle case awarded $37.5 million (subsequently reduced by the court to $25.1 million) of compensatory damages against Liggett and two other defendants and found Liggett 50% responsible for the damages. The verdict, which is subject to the outcome of the Engle appeal, has been overturned as a result of the appellate court’s ruling discussed above. It is possible that additional cases could be decided unfavorably and that there could be further adverse developments in the Engle case. Liggett may enter into discussions in an attempt to settle particular cases if it believes it is appropriate to do so. We cannot predict the cash requirements related to any future settlements and judgments, including cash required to bond any appeals, and there is a risk that those requirements will not be able to be met.

In recent years, there have been a number of proposed restrictive regulatory actions from various federal administrative bodies, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. There have also been adverse political decisions and other unfavorable developments concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry, including the commencement and certification of class actions and the commencement of third-party payor actions. These developments generally receive widespread media attention. We are not able to evaluate the effect of these developing matters on pending litigation or the possible commencement of additional litigation, but our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected by an unfavorable outcome in any smoking-related litigation, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.


	*Liggett may have additional payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement and its other settlement agreements with the states.*

Liggett has recently been notified that all Participating Manufacturers’ payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement, dating from the agreement’s execution in late 1998, have been recalculated

utilizing net unit amounts, rather than gross unit amounts (which have been utilized since 1999). The change in the method of calculation could, among other things, require additional payments by Liggett under the Master Settlement Agreement of approximately $2.3 million per year for the period 2001 through 2004, or a total of approximately $9.2 million, and require Liggett to pay an additional amount of approximately $2.4 million per year in 2005 and in future periods by lowering Liggett’s market share exemption under the Master Settlement Agreement. Liggett contends that the retroactive change from utilizing gross unit amounts to net unit amounts is impermissible and has objected to the change. Liggett intends to challenge the change in methodology.

On March 30, 2005, the Independent Auditor under the Master Settlement Agreement calculated $28.7 million in Master Settlement Agreement payments for Liggett’s 2004 sales. On April 15, 2005, Liggett paid $11.7 million of this amount and, in accordance with its rights under the Master Settlement Agreement, disputed the balance of $17.0 million. Of the disputed amount, Liggett paid $9.3 million into the disputed payments account under the Master Settlement Agreement and withheld from payment $7.7 million. The $9.3 million paid into the disputed payments account represents the amount claimed by Liggett as an adjustment to its 2003 payment obligation under the Master Settlement Agreement for market share loss to non-participating manufacturers. The $7.7 million withheld from payment represents $5.3 million claimed as an adjustment to Liggett’s 2004 Master Settlement Agreement obligation for market share loss to non-participating manufacturers and $2.4 million relating to the retroactive change, discussed above, to the method for computing payment obligations under the Master Settlement Agreement which Liggett contends, among other things, is not in accordance with the Master Settlement Agreement. On May 31, 2005, New York State filed a motion on behalf of the Settling States in New York state court seeking to compel Liggett and the other Subsequent Participating Manufacturers that paid into the disputed payments account to release to the Settling States the amounts paid into such account. The Settling States contend that Liggett had no right under the Master Settlement Agreement and related agreements to pay into the disputed payments account any amount claimed as an adjustment for market share loss to non-participating manufacturers for 2003, although they acknowledge that Liggett has the right to dispute such amounts. By stipulation among the parties dated July 25, 2005, New York’s motion was dismissed and Liggett authorized the release to the Settling States of the $9.3 million it had paid into the account, although Liggett continues to dispute that it owes this amount.

In 2004, the Attorneys General for each of Florida, Mississippi and Texas advised Liggett that they believed that Liggett had failed to make all required payments under the settlement agreements with these three states for the period 1998 through 2003 and that additional payments might be due for 2004 and subsequent years. Liggett believes these allegations are without merit, based, among other things, on the language of the most-favored nation provisions of the settlement agreements. In December 2004, the State of Florida offered to settle all amounts allegedly owed by Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of $13.5 million. In November 2004, the State of Mississippi offered to settle all amounts allegedly owed by Liggett for the period through 2003 for the sum of $6.5 million. In March 2005, the State of Florida reaffirmed its December 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a 60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. In April 2005, the State of Mississippi reaffirmed its November 2004 offer to settle and provided Liggett with a 60 day notice to cure the alleged defaults. Liggett has met with representatives of the three states to discuss the issues relating to the alleged defaults. No resolution has been reached.

No amounts have been accrued in our financial statements for any additional amounts that may be payable by Liggett under the Master Settlement Agreement, due to the recalculation of the Participating Manufacturers’ payment obligations, or under the settlement agreements with Florida, Mississippi and Texas. There can be no assurance that Liggett will prevail in any of these matters and that Liggett will not be required to make additional material payments, which payments could materially adversely affect our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows and the value of our common stock.


	*Liggett has significant sales to a single customer.*

During 2004, 13.8% of Liggett’s total revenues and 13.4% of our consolidated revenues were generated by sales to Liggett’s largest customer. Liggett’s contract with this customer currently extends through

March 31, 2009. If this customer discontinues its relationship with Liggett or experiences financial difficulties, Liggett’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected.


	*Liggett may be adversely affected by recent legislation to eliminate the federal tobacco quota system.*

In October 2004, federal legislation was enacted which abolished the federal tobacco quota system and price support system. Pursuant to the legislation, manufacturers of tobacco products will be assessed $10.1 billion over a ten year period to compensate tobacco growers and quota holders for the elimination of their quota rights. Cigarette manufacturers will initially be responsible for 96.3% of the assessment (subject to adjustment in the future), which will be allocated based on relative unit volume of domestic cigarette shipments. We currently estimate that Liggett’s assessment will be approximately $25 million for the first year of the program which began January 1, 2005. The cost of the legislation to the three largest cigarette manufacturers will likely be less than the cost to smaller manufacturers, including Liggett and Vector Tobacco, because one effect of the legislation is that the three largest manufacturers will no longer be obligated to make certain contractual payments, commonly known as Phase II payments, they agreed in 1999 to make to tobacco-producing states. The ultimate impact of this legislation cannot be determined, but there is a risk that smaller manufacturers, such as Liggett and Vector Tobacco, will be disproportionately affected by the legislation, which could have a material adverse effect on us.


	*Excise tax increases adversely affect cigarette sales.*

Cigarettes are subject to substantial and increasing federal, state and local excise taxes. The federal excise tax on cigarettes is currently $0.39 per pack. State and local sales and excise taxes vary considerably and, when combined with the current federal excise tax, may currently exceed $4.00 per pack. In 2004, ten states enacted increases in excise taxes, and nine states have enacted increases in 2005. Congress has considered significant increases in the federal excise tax or other payments from tobacco manufacturers, and various states and other jurisdictions have currently under consideration or pending legislation proposing further state excise tax increases. We believe that increases in excise and similar taxes have had an adverse impact on sales of cigarettes. Further substantial federal or state excise tax increases could accelerate the trend away from smoking and could have a material adverse effect on Liggett’s sales and profitability, which in turn could negatively affect the value of our common stock.


	*Vector Tobacco is subject to risks inherent in new product development initiatives.*

We have made, and currently plan to continue to make, significant investments in Vector Tobacco’s development projects in the tobacco industry. Vector Tobacco is in the business of developing and marketing the low nicotine and nicotine-free QUEST cigarette products and developing reduced risk cigarette products. These initiatives are subject to high levels of risk, uncertainties and contingencies, including the challenges inherent in new product development. There is a risk that continued investments in Vector Tobacco will harm our results of operations, liquidity or cash flow.

The substantial risks facing Vector Tobacco include:

Risks of market acceptance of new products. In November 2001, Vector Tobacco launched nationwide its reduced carcinogen OMNI cigarettes. During 2002, acceptance of OMNI in the marketplace was limited, with revenues of only approximately $5.1 million on sales of 70.7 million units. Since 2003, OMNI sales activity has been minimal as Vector Tobacco has not been actively marketing the OMNI product, and the product is not currently in distribution. Vector Tobacco was unable to achieve the anticipated breadth of distribution and sales of the OMNI product due, in part, to the lack of success of its advertising and marketing efforts in differentiating OMNI from other conventional cigarettes with consumers through the “reduced carcinogen” message. Over the next several years, our in-house research program, together with third-party collaborators, plans to conduct appropriate studies relating OMNI’s reduction of carcinogens to reduced risk in smokers and, based on these studies, we will review the marketing and positioning of the OMNI brand in order to formulate a strategy for its long-term success.

OMNI has not been a commercially successful product to date, and there is a risk that we will be unable to take action to significantly increase the level of OMNI sales in the future.

Vector Tobacco introduced its low nicotine and nicotine-free QUEST cigarettes in an initial seven-state market in January 2003 and in Arizona in January 2004. During the second quarter of 2004, based on an analysis of the market data obtained since the introduction of the QUEST product, we determined to postpone indefinitely the national launch of QUEST. A national launch of the QUEST brands would require the expenditure of substantial additional sums for advertising and sales promotion, with no assurance of consumer acceptance. Low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes may not ultimately be accepted by adult smokers and also may not prove to be commercially successful products. Adult smokers may decide not to purchase cigarettes made with low nicotine and nicotine-free tobaccos due to taste or other preferences, or due to the use of genetically modified tobacco or other product modifications.

Recoverability of costs of inventory. At June 30, 2005, approximately $1.4 million of our leaf inventory was associated with Vector Tobacco’s QUEST product. We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items, taking into account future demand and market conditions. During the second quarter of 2004, we recognized a non-cash charge of $37 million to adjust the carrying value of excess leaf tobacco inventory for the QUEST product, based on estimates of future demand and market conditions. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Third party allegations that Vector Tobacco products are unlawful or bear deceptive or unsubstantiated product claims. Vector Tobacco is engaged in the development and marketing of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarettes and the development of reduced risk cigarette products. With respect to OMNI, which is not currently being distributed by Vector Tobacco, reductions in carcinogens have not yet been proven to result in a safer cigarette. Like other cigarettes, the OMNI and QUEST products also produce tar, carbon monoxide, other harmful by-products, and, in the case of OMNI, increased levels of nitric oxide and formaldehyde. There are currently no specific governmental standards or parameters for these products and product claims. There is a risk that federal or state regulators may object to Vector Tobacco’s low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products and reduced risk cigarette products it may develop as unlawful or allege they bear deceptive or unsubstantiated product claims, and seek the removal of the products from the marketplace, or significant changes to advertising. Various concerns regarding Vector Tobacco’s advertising practices have been expressed to Vector Tobacco by certain state attorneys general. Vector Tobacco has engaged in discussions in an effort to resolve these concerns and Vector Tobacco has agreed to suspend all print advertising for its QUEST brand while discussions are pending. If Vector Tobacco is unable to advertise its QUEST brand, it could have a material adverse effect on sales of QUEST. Allegations by federal or state regulators, public health organizations and other tobacco manufacturers that Vector Tobacco’s products are unlawful, or that its public statements or advertising contain misleading or unsubstantiated health claims or product comparisons, may result in litigation or governmental proceedings. Vector Tobacco’s defense against such claims could require it to incur substantial expense and to divert significant efforts of its scientific and marketing personnel. An adverse determination in a judicial proceeding or by a regulatory agency could have a material and adverse impact on Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects.

Potential extensive government regulation. Vector Tobacco’s business may become subject to extensive additional domestic and international government regulation. Various proposals have been made for federal, state and international legislation to regulate cigarette manufacturers generally, and reduced constituent cigarettes specifically. It is possible that laws and regulations may be adopted covering matters such as the manufacture, sale, distribution and labeling of tobacco products as well as any health claims associated with reduced carcinogen and low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products and the use of genetically modified tobacco. A system of regulation by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture may be established. In addition, a group of public health organizations submitted a petition to the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that the marketing of the OMNI product is subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration under existing law. Vector Tobacco has filed a response in opposition to the petition.

The Federal Trade Commission has expressed interest in the regulation of tobacco products made by tobacco manufacturers, including Vector Tobacco, which bear reduced carcinogen claims. The outcome of any of the foregoing cannot be predicted, but any of the foregoing could have a material adverse impact on Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects.

Necessity of obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval to market QUEST as a smoking cessation product. In October 2003, we announced that Jed E. Rose, Ph.D., Director of Duke University Medical Center’s Nicotine Research Program and co-inventor of the nicotine patch, had conducted a study at Duke University Medical Center to provide preliminary evaluation of the use of the QUEST technology as a smoking cessation aid. We have received guidance from the Food and Drug Administration as to the additional clinical research and regulatory filings necessary to market QUEST as a smoking cessation product. We are currently conducting a multi-centered clinical trial with QUEST cigarettes, which should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2006. We believe that obtaining the Food and Drug Administration’s approval to market QUEST as a smoking cessation product will be an important factor in the long-term commercial success of the QUEST brand. No assurance can be given that such approval can be obtained or as to the timing of any such approval if received.

Competition from other cigarette manufacturers with greater resources. Vector Tobacco’s competitors generally have substantially greater resources than Vector Tobacco has, including financial, marketing and personnel resources. Other major tobacco companies have stated that they are working on reduced risk cigarette products and have made publicly available at this time only limited additional information concerning their activities. Philip Morris has announced it is developing products that potentially reduce smokers’ exposure to harmful compounds in cigarette smoke. RJR Tobacco has stated that in 2003 it began a phased expansion into a select number of retail chain outlets of a cigarette product that primarily heats rather than burns tobacco, which it claims reduces the toxicity of its smoke. In 2002, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation announced it was test marketing a new cigarette with reduced levels of many toxins which it may introduce on a national basis. There is a substantial likelihood that other major tobacco companies will continue to introduce new products that are designed to compete directly with Vector Tobacco’s reduced carcinogen and low nicotine and nicotine-free products.

Potential disputes concerning intellectual property. Vector Tobacco’s ability to commercially exploit its proprietary technology for its reduced carcinogen and low nicotine and nicotine-free products depends in large part on its ability to obtain and defend issued patents, to obtain further patent protection for its existing technology in the United States and other jurisdictions, and to operate without infringing on the patents and proprietary rights of others both in the United States and abroad. Additionally, it must be able to obtain appropriate licenses to patents or proprietary rights held by third parties if infringement would otherwise occur, both in the United States and in foreign countries.

Intellectual property rights, including Vector Tobacco’s patents (owned or licensed), involve complex legal and factual issues. Any conflicts resulting from third party patent applications and granted patents could significantly limit Vector Tobacco’s ability to obtain meaningful patent protection or to commercialize its technology. If necessary patents currently exist or are issued to other companies that contain competitive or conflicting claims, Vector Tobacco may be required to obtain licenses to use these patents or to develop or obtain alternative technology. Licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. If licenses are not obtained, Vector Tobacco could be delayed in, or prevented from, pursuing the further development or marketing of its new cigarette products. Any alternative technology, if feasible, could take several years to develop.

Litigation which could result in substantial cost also may be necessary to enforce any patents to which Vector Tobacco has rights, or to determine the scope, validity and unenforceability of other parties’ proprietary rights which may affect Vector Tobacco’s rights. Vector Tobacco also may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine the priority of an invention or in opposition proceedings in foreign counties or jurisdictions, which could result in substantial costs. There is a risk that its licensed patents would be held invalid by a court or administrative body or that an alleged infringer would not be found to be infringing. The mere uncertainty resulting from

the institution and continuation of any technology-related litigation or any interference or opposition proceedings could have a material and adverse effect on Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects.

Vector Tobacco may also rely on unpatented trade secrets and know-how to maintain its competitive position, which it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants, suppliers and others. There is a risk that these agreements will be breached or terminated, that Vector Tobacco will not have adequate remedies for any breach, or that its trade secrets will otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors.

Dependence on key scientific personnel. Vector Tobacco’s business depends on the continued services of key scientific personnel for its continued development and growth. The loss of Dr. Anthony Albino, Vice President of Public Health, could have a serious negative impact upon Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects.

Ability to raise capital and manage growth of business. If Vector Tobacco succeeds in introducing to market and increasing consumer acceptance for its new cigarette products, Vector Tobacco will be required to obtain significant amounts of additional capital and manage substantial volume from its customers. There is a risk that adequate amounts of additional capital will not be available to Vector Tobacco to fund the growth of its business. To accommodate growth and compete effectively, Vector Tobacco will also be required to attract, integrate, motivate and retain additional highly skilled sales, technical and other employees. Vector Tobacco will face competition for these people. Its ability to manage volume also will depend on its ability to scale up its tobacco processing, production and distribution operations. There is a risk that it will not succeed in scaling its processing, production and distribution operations and that its personnel, systems, procedures and controls will not be adequate to support its future operations.

Potential delays in obtaining tobacco, other raw materials and any technology needed to produce products. Vector Tobacco is dependent on third parties to produce tobacco and other raw materials that Vector Tobacco requires to manufacture its products. In addition, the growing of new tobacco and new seeds is subject to adverse weather conditions. Vector Tobacco may also need to obtain licenses to technology subject to patents or proprietary rights of third parties to produce its products. The failure by such third parties to supply Vector Tobacco with tobacco, other raw materials and technology on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in the absence of readily available alternative sources, would have a serious negative impact on Vector Tobacco’s business, operating results and prospects. There is also a risk that interruptions in the supply of these materials and technology may occur in the future. Any interruption in their supply could have a serious negative impact on Vector Tobacco.


	*The actual costs and savings associated with restructurings of our tobacco business may differ materially from amounts we estimate.*

In recent years, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to streamline the cost structure of our tobacco business and improve operating efficiency and long-term earnings. For example, during 2002, the sales, marketing and support functions of our Liggett and Vector Tobacco subsidiaries were combined. Effective year-end 2003, we closed Vector Tobacco’s Timberlake, North Carolina manufacturing facility and moved all production to Liggett’s facility in Mebane, North Carolina. In April 2004, we eliminated a number of positions in our tobacco operations and subleased excess office space. In October 2004, we announced a plan to restructure the operations of Liggett Vector Brands, effective December 15, 2004. We may consider various additional opportunities to further improve efficiencies and reduce costs. These prior and current initiatives have involved material restructuring and impairment charges, and any future actions taken are likely to involve material charges as well. These restructuring charges are based on our best estimate at the time of restructuring. The status of the restructuring activities is reviewed on a quarterly basis and any adjustments to the reserve, which could differ materially from previous estimates, are recorded as an adjustment to operating income. Although we may estimate that substantial cost savings will be associated with these restructuring actions, there is a risk that these actions could have a serious

negative impact on our tobacco business and that any estimated increases in profitability cannot be achieved.


	*New Valley is subject to risks relating to the industries in which it operates.*

Risks of real estate ventures. New Valley has three significant investments, Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa (which reopened in the fourth quarter 2004) and the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. (since August 2005), in each of which it holds only a 50% interest. New Valley must seek approval from other parties for important actions regarding these joint ventures. Since these other parties’ interests may differ from those of New Valley, a deadlock could arise that might impair the ability of the ventures to function. Such a deadlock could significantly harm the ventures.

New Valley may pursue a variety of real estate development projects. Development projects are subject to special risks including potential increase in costs, changes in market demand, inability to meet deadlines which may delay the timely completion of projects, reliance on contractors who may be unable to perform and the need to obtain various governmental and third party consents.

Risks relating to the residential brokerage business. Through its investment in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, New Valley is subject to the risks and uncertainties endemic to the residential brokerage business. Both Douglas Elliman and Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate operate as franchisees of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. Prudential Douglas Elliman operates each of its offices under its franchiser’s brand name, but generally does not own any of the brand names under which it operates. The franchiser has significant rights over the use of the franchised service marks and the conduct of the two brokerage companies’ business. Prudential Douglas Elliman’s franchiser also has the right to terminate Douglas Elliman’s and Prudential Douglas Elliman’s franchises, upon the occurrence of certain events, including a bankruptcy or insolvency event, a change in control, a transfer of rights under the franchise agreements and a failure to promptly pay amounts due under the franchise agreements. A termination of Douglas Elliman’s or Prudential Douglas Elliman’s franchise agreement could adversely affect New Valley’s investment in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC.

Interest rates in the United States are currently at historically low levels. The low interest rate environment in recent years has significantly contributed to high levels of existing home sales and residential prices and has positively impacted Douglas Elliman Realty’s operating results. However, the residential real estate market tends to be cyclical and typically is affected by changes in the general economic conditions that are beyond Douglas Elliman Realty’s control. Any of the following could have a material adverse effect on Douglas Elliman Realty’s residential business by causing a general decline in the number of home sales and/or prices, which in turn, could adversely affect its revenues and profitability:


	•	periods of economic slowdown or recession,

	•	a change in the current low interest rate environment resulting in rising interest rates,

	•	decreasing home ownership rates, or

	•	declining demand for real estate.

All of Douglas Elliman Realty’s current operations are located in the New York metropolitan area. Local and regional economic conditions in this market could differ materially from prevailing conditions in other parts of the country. A downturn in the residential real estate market or economic conditions in that region could have a material adverse effect on Douglas Elliman Realty and New Valley’s investment in that company.


	*New Valley’s potential investments are unidentified and may not succeed.*

New Valley currently holds a significant amount of marketable securities and cash not committed to any specific investments. This subjects a security holder to increased risk and uncertainty because a security holder will not be able to evaluate how this cash will be invested and the economic merits of particular investments. There may be substantial delay in locating suitable investment opportunities. In

addition, New Valley may lack relevant management experience in the areas in which New Valley may invest. There is a risk that New Valley will fail in targeting, consummating or effectively integrating or managing any of these investments.


	*We depend on our key personnel.*

We depend on the efforts of our executive officers and other key personnel. While we believe that we could find replacements for these key personnel, the loss of their services could have a significant adverse effect on our operations.


	*While we believe our controls systems are effective, there are inherent limitations in all control systems, and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.*

We continue to take action to assure compliance with the internal controls, disclosure controls and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, cannot guarantee that our internal controls and disclosure controls will prevent all possible errors or all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefit of controls must be relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no system of controls can provide absolute assurance that all controls issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Further, controls can be circumvented by individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more persons, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may be inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


	The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell the shares of our common stock issuable upon exchange when you want or at prices you find attractive.

The closing price of our common stock has ranged between $20.27 and $14.02 per share over the past 52 weeks. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include the following:


	•	actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results,

	•	changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors,

	•	the operating and stock performance of our competitors,

	•	announcements by us or our competitors of new products or services or significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments,

	•	the initiation or outcome of litigation,

	•	changes in interest rates,

	•	general economic, market and political conditions,


	•	additions or departures of key personnel, and

	•	future sales of our equity or convertible securities.

We cannot predict the extent, if any, to which future sales of shares of common stock or the availability of shares of common stock for future sale may depress the trading price of our common stock.

In addition, the stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and trading volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. Furthermore, stockholders may initiate securities class action lawsuits if the market price of our stock drops significantly, which may cause us to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of our management. These factors, among others, could significantly depress the price of our common stock issued upon exchange.


	*We have many potentially dilutive securities outstanding.*

At December 31, 2004, we had outstanding options granted to employees to purchase approximately 9,292,462 shares of our common stock, at prices ranging from $6.93 to $35.81 per share, of which options for 8,897,497 shares were exercisable at December 31, 2004. We also have outstanding two series of convertible notes maturing in July 2008 and November 2011, which are currently convertible into 12,042,939 shares of our common stock. The issuance of these shares will cause dilution which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. The availability for sale of significant quantities of our common stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the stock.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In addition to historical information, this Prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include information relating to our intent, belief or current expectations, primarily with respect to, but not limited to:


	•	economic outlook,

	•	capital expenditures,

	•	cost reduction,

	•	new legislation,

	•	cash flows,

	•	operating performance,

	•	litigation,

	•	impairment charges and cost savings associated with restructurings of our tobacco operations, and

	•	related industry developments (including trends affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations).

We identify forward-looking statements in this Prospectus by using words or phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may be”, “objective”, “plan”, “seek”, “predict”, “project” and “will be” and similar words or phrases or their negatives.

The forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from our anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual

results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the following:


	•	general economic and market conditions and any changes therein, due to acts of war and terrorism or otherwise,

	•	governmental regulations and policies,

	•	effects of industry competition,

	•	impact of business combinations, including acquisitions and divestitures, both internally for us and externally in the tobacco industry,

	•	impact of restructurings on our tobacco business and our ability to achieve any increases in profitability estimated to occur as a result of these restructurings,

	•	impact of new legislation on our competitors’ payment obligations, results of operations and product costs, i.e., the impact of recent federal legislation eliminating the federal tobacco quota system,

	•	uncertainty related to litigation and potential additional payment obligations for us under the Master Settlement Agreement and other settlement agreements with the states, and

	•	risks inherent in our new product development initiatives.

Further information on risks and uncertainties specific to our business include the risk factors discussed above under “Risk Factors” and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is a risk that these expectations will not be attained and that any deviations will be material. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in this Prospectus to reflect any changes in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER

The following discussion presents background information concerning the offer and the subsequent merger and describes our reasons for undertaking the proposed transaction at the present time. Please see “Additional Factors for Consideration by New Valley Stockholders” beginning on page 36 for further information relating to the proposed transaction.

Vector’s Long-Term Investment in New Valley

In a series of transactions commencing in 1987, we and various predecessor companies of ours acquired an indirect controlling equity interest in New Valley, which was then named Western Union Corporation. The investments were made in connection with various restructurings of Western Union Corporation’s debt and equity capital. In 1991, bankruptcy proceedings were commenced against New Valley. In January 1995, when New Valley emerged from bankruptcy, we owned approximately 42% of New Valley’s common shares and 43% of New Valley’s Class A preferred stock. As part of the reorganization, New Valley sold the Western Union money transfer and messaging service businesses and all allowed claims in the bankruptcy were paid in full.

In 1999, New Valley consummated a plan of recapitalization pursuant to which all of its common and preferred shares were converted into common shares and warrants of New Valley, and our ownership of New Valley’s common shares increased from 42.3% to 55.1%. We currently own 57.7% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley.

Key Factors Motivating the Offer

A number of factors have led to our decision to undertake the offer and subsequent merger at the present time. Some of the key factors are as follows:


	•	the potential to realize synergies and cost savings;

	•	the potential to more efficiently utilize the New Valley consolidated tax group’s tax loss and credit carryforwards before they begin to expire; and

	•	the opportunity to minimize potential conflicts of interest.


	*Potential for Synergies and Cost Savings*

We believe that there would be opportunities to reduce Vector’s and New Valley’s pretax costs by between approximately $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 a year by eliminating unnecessary functions and activities. We anticipate that these significant cost savings could be achieved through the following steps:


	•	eliminating redundant overhead, administration and other costs relating to each entity’s status as a public company; and

	•	reducing the aggregate number of stockholders of both companies and eliminating annual report and proxy printing and mailing costs based on fewer stockholders of the combined companies.


	*Potential for More Efficient Use of Tax Loss Carryforwards, Credit Carryforwards and Other Tax Attributes*

Until 2005, Vector had been utilizing its tax loss carryforward to reduce its taxable income and has now used all of its available tax loss carryforwards. The New Valley consolidated tax group currently has an aggregate of $143,750,000 in tax loss carryforwards, approximately $50,000,000 of which expire in 2006 and 2007. The New Valley consolidated tax group also has approximately $13,900,000 of tax credit carryforwards. Historically, the New Valley consolidated tax group has not been able to fully utilize its tax loss and credit carryforwards because the group has not earned enough taxable income. After the offer and subsequent merger, members of the New Valley consolidated tax group will become members of the Vector consolidated tax group. Despite its recent net operating losses in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, Vector believes it should be able to use the New Valley consolidated tax group’s tax loss and credit carryforwards to offset certain Vector group income that is generated after members of the New Valley consolidated tax group join the Vector consolidated tax group. The New Valley consolidated tax group also has net cumulative differences where the tax basis of its assets exceeds the book basis by approximately $24,500,000, which could produce tax benefits for the Vector consolidated tax group after completion of the offer and subsequent merger. As a Vector stockholder, former New Valley stockholders will receive a proportionate benefit from this potential tax savings, which they would not otherwise receive unless the New Valley consolidated tax group was able to generate taxable income.


	*Minimizing Potential Conflicts of Interest*

We believe that among the benefits of the proposed transaction with New Valley is the elimination of the potential for conflicts of interest between Vector and New Valley. Consequently, time and resources can be focused on the combined business as opposed to general corporate governance concerns. You should review “Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 67 for a description of arrangements between Vector and New Valley and between New Valley and directors and executive officers of New Valley.

If conflicts of interest between New Valley and Vector were to develop, there would be increased risk of claims for breach of fiduciary duty against the officers of Vector who serve as directors of New Valley. An additional benefit of the subsequent merger to Vector would be the elimination of the possibility of claims as to future activities being made against these Vector officers or that they could be found liable for damages for breach of fiduciary duty. By virtue of its obligation to indemnify its officers who serve as directors of New Valley at Vector’s request, Vector would be responsible for defending and indemnifying such officers against any such claims or liabilities.

Financial Impact of the Offer on Vector

As part of the offer and the subsequent merger, Vector would issue up to approximately 4,339,000 shares of common stock (or, if all New Valley stock options vest and are exercised, up to a maximum of 4,433,355 shares of Vector common stock would be issued). The acquisition of New Valley is expected to be immediately accretive to Vector’s cash earnings. Furthermore, we anticipate the acquisition would increase access to available annual cash flow as a result of utilizing the tax loss carryforwards, which could be reinvested in Vector’s or New Valley’s businesses or used for debt reduction or dividend payments.

No Prior Discussions Relating to Potential Extraordinary Transaction

From time to time prior to the announcement of our offer on September 27, 2005, the management and directors of Vector considered the desirability of acquiring the common shares of New Valley not owed by Vector. Prior to the announcement of the offer, Vector did not make any proposals to New Valley or its board of directors regarding Vector’s acquisition of the minority interest in New Valley. Vector’s decision to proceed with the offer, and to announce it on September 27, 2005, was made without the participation of New Valley’s board of directors or its management.

Vector Board’s Decision to Commence the Offer

Our board of directors held a meeting on September 27, 2005 to determine whether to proceed with the offer and subsequent merger, and to determine an exchange ratio for the offer. In evaluating this decision, our board considered many factors. Our board believed that greater value could be achieved for both Vector and New Valley stockholders by combining Vector’s and New Valley’s business operations. In our board’s judgment, the proposed offer and subsequent merger would yield significant efficiencies and, by fully integrating New Valley into Vector, New Valley stockholders would be able to share in a greater scope of opportunities than are available to them solely as New Valley stockholders. As a result of exchanging their common shares of New Valley for shares of Vector common stock, New Valley stockholders would have access to cash dividends, which are not currently paid by New Valley, and greater liquidity for their shares by holding the more widely traded Vector common stock. Accordingly, we believe that both existing Vector stockholders and New Valley stockholders who receive shares of Vector common stock in this transaction would benefit from our successful execution of these strategies, and that we can realize greater long-term shareholder value as a combined company.

In evaluating its decision whether to pursue the offer and subsequent merger, our board considered many factors that were relevant to its decision, including (i) the potential costs savings and synergies that could be obtained by combining Vector and New Valley, (ii) the current market prices and trading volumes of Vector common stock and New Valley common shares relative to their respective recent trading histories, and (iii) the financial analyses of New Valley prepared by Jefferies & Company, Inc., or Jefferies, the board’s financial advisor, which were presented to the board and which are summarized below under the caption “— Opinion of Jefferies.”

Jefferies’ financial analyses of New Valley and the effects of a consummated transaction that were presented to the board consisted of (i) a discounted cash flow analysis of New Valley which resulted in an estimated value range per share of New Valley common shares of $8.83 to $9.90 per share, (ii) an accretion and dilution analysis which demonstrated that a consummated transaction would be accretive to Vector’s estimated EPS (after giving effect to the pro forma tax savings) in calendar years 2005 and 2006 by $0.72 and $0.55 per share, respectively, and (iii) a balance sheet asset/liability analysis which resulted in an estimated value per common share of New Valley of $9.47. In connection with the balance sheet asset/liability analysis that Jefferies presented to the board, our board discussed, among other things, the contemplated issuance of 500,000 shares of Vector common stock to Mr. Lorber in connection with his being elected as our Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2006, that could be deemed to equate to

an additional cost to us of $0.43 per common share of New Valley and the following items which were open to subjective assumptions and included as assets of New Valley in the Jefferies’ analysis:


	•	$22,917,434 for the present value of the New Valley consolidated tax group’s tax loss carryforwards available to an unaffiliated third party acquiror. Our board discussed its view that this present value was potentially too high because of the perceived uncertainty that the tax loss carryforwards could be fully utilized by such unaffiliated third party acquirer due to, among other things, the fact that the applicable tax laws and tax rates could change and the risk that such acquirer would not have sufficient taxable income in order to fully utilize the benefit of the tax loss carryforwards during the required period.

	•	the value that Jefferies ascribed to New Valley’s pending Westar litigation. Our board discussed its view that this present value may be too high due to, among other things, the perceived risk of New Valley obtaining a final judgment or settlement in its favor, the timing and ability of New Valley collecting on any such judgment or settlement, and the probability of New Valley incurring more legal expenses than previously estimated in order to collect on any such judgment or settlement.

	•	$5,888,889 for the estimated value of the shares of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., or Ladenburg Thalmann, owned by New Valley based on the current market price of the shares. Our board discussed its view that using the current market price to estimate the current value of the shares was aggressive, and suggested that the current market price should be discounted due to, among other things, the relative lack of liquidity in Ladenburg Thalmann stock given its historically modest trading volume, the fact that New Valley owns approximately 10% of Ladenburg Thalmann, making a sale of its shares of Ladenburg Thalmann on the open market more difficult, and the recent operating results of Ladenburg Thalmann.

	•	$4,600,686 for the present value of the note receivable from Ladenburg Thalmann. Our board discussed its view that this present value was potentially too high due to, among other things, Ladenburg Thalmann’s recent operating results and the perceived risks of Ladenburg Thalmann’s ability to make timely payment of principal and interest on the note through December 31, 2008.

	•	$10,672,500 valuation for New Valley’s interest in Koa Investors. Our board discussed its view that this value was higher than the value of Koa Investors determined by Jefferies using a discounted cash flow valuation methodology.

Based on the foregoing considerations, our board determined that the exchange ratio for the proposed exchange offer should reflect a value for each common share of New Valley of $9.00. Accordingly, based on the closing price of Vector’s stock for September 26, 2005, the prior trading day, our board determined that the exchange ratio for the proposed exchange offer should be set at 0.461 shares of Vector common stock for each common share of New Valley.

Jefferies then delivered to our board its oral opinion as investment bankers, subsequently confirmed in writing, to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various considerations and assumptions set forth therein, the exchange ratio of 0.461 shares of Vector common stock to be issued in exchange for each common share of New Valley was fair, from a financial point of view, to Vector. Please see “— Opinion of Jefferies” beginning on page 29 for further information relating to this topic.

Our board then authorized us to propose the offer and subsequent merger in which New Valley’s public stockholders would be offered 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock in exchange for each validly tendered common share of New Valley owned by stockholders of New Valley other than VGR Holding and its affiliates. Messrs. Howard M. Lorber and Henry C. Beinstein, two of our directors who are also significant New Valley stockholders, did not participate in any discussion of whether to commence the offer or the determination of the proposed exchange ratio for the offer and subsequent merger.

After the September 27, 2005 board meeting, Bennett S. LeBow, Vector’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, delivered a letter to the New Valley board outlining the offer. Simultaneously, we issued a press release disclosing to the public the offer and its material terms. The following is the text of Mr. LeBow’s letter to the New Valley board:


	September 27, 2005


	The Board of Directors
	New Valley Corporation
	100 S.E. Second Street
	Miami, Florida 33131
	Gentlemen:


	It has become clear to us that the best interests of our respective stockholders will be served by Vector’s acquisition of the outstanding shares of New Valley that we do not already own. We believe that a full combination of our businesses will yield significant efficiencies and, by fully integrating New Valley into the Vector family of operations, New Valley stockholders will be able to share in a greater scope of opportunities than are available to them as New Valley stockholders. New Valley shareholders will become owners of a company with solid cash flow and an attractive dividend yield. In addition, the transaction will provide New Valley stockholders with an immediate premium for their shares and a currency that has substantially greater liquidity than New Valley has been able to provide.

	As evidenced by Vector’s long history with New Valley, we are not interested in selling our shares in New Valley. Moreover, if the two companies are combined, we expect important cost savings will be realized and that the transaction would be immediately accretive to Vector’s cash earnings.

	Consequently, our Board of Directors has authorized us to make an exchange offer pursuant to which the stockholders of New Valley (other than VGR Holding Inc.) will be offered 0.461 shares of common stock of Vector for each outstanding share of New Valley common stock they own in a transaction designed to be tax-free. Based on the $19.54 closing price of Vector’s shares on September 26, 2005, our offer provides a value of approximately $9.00 per share of New Valley common stock and a 21% premium to the closing price of New Valley common stock on that date.

	Vector’s offer is being made directly to New Valley’s stockholders. We believe that it will be favorably received by them due to the substantial premium to New Valley’s market price, the attractiveness of Vector stock and the opportunity for greater liquidity. New Valley stockholders, through their ownership of Vector common stock, will continue to participate in New Valley’s business.

	Our offer will be conditioned on the tender of a sufficient number of shares of New Valley common stock such that, after the offer is completed, we will own at least 90% of the outstanding shares of New Valley common stock and other customary conditions. Assuming that the conditions to the offer are satisfied and that the offer is completed, we will then effect a “short form” merger of New Valley with a subsidiary of Vector as soon as practicable thereafter. In this merger, the remaining New Valley public stockholders will receive the same consideration as in the exchange offer, except for those stockholders who choose to exercise their appraisal rights.

	We intend to file our offering materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission and commence our exchange offer on or about October 12, 2005. Vector is not seeking, and as the offer is being made directly to New Valley’s stockholders, Delaware law does not require approval of the offer from New Valley’s Board of Directors. We, however, encourage you to consult with your outside counsel as to the obligations of New Valley’s Board of Directors under the U.S. tender offer rules to advise the stockholders of your recommendation with respect to our


	offer. Also, enclosed is a copy of the press release that we are issuing in connection with the offer.


	Sincerely,

	/s/ Bennett S. LeBow

	Bennett S. LeBow
	Chairman of the Board of Directors and
	Chief Executive Officer

On September 28, 2005, New Valley announced that it was in receipt of Mr. LeBow’s letter. Then, on September 30, 2005, New Valley announced that a special committee of its board of directors, comprised solely of independent directors, would evaluate our exchange offer and retain an independent financial advisor and legal counsel.

On October 12, 2005, at the request of the special committee of the board of directors of New Valley, we announced that we were postponing the commencement of our offer and that we expected to file offering materials with the SEC on or about October 19, 2005 and to commence our offer shortly thereafter. On October 18, 2005, we declined a request of the special committee to further postpone the commencement of our offer.

On October 19, 2005, the special committee announced that it engaged The Blackstone Group L.P. as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP as legal advisor to assist in its evaluation of our offer.

We commenced the offer on October 20, 2005.

Opinion of Jefferies

Vector engaged Jefferies pursuant to an engagement letter dated as of September 27, 2005 to serve as its financial advisor in connection with the offer. On September 27, 2005, Jefferies rendered to Vector’s board its opinion as investment bankers to the effect that, as of that date and based upon and subject to the various considerations and assumptions set forth therein, the exchange ratio to be offered by VGR Holding in the offer was fair, from a financial point of view, to Vector. Vector does not intend to request an updated opinion from Jefferies.

The full text of the Jefferies opinion delivered to the Vector board, which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by Jefferies in rendering its opinion, is attached hereto as Annex D. Vector and Vector’s board encourage Vector stockholders to read the Jefferies opinion carefully and in its entirety. The summary of the Jefferies opinion in this Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Jefferies opinion. The Jefferies opinion was provided to Vector’s board in connection with its consideration of the offer, and therefore addresses only the fairness to Vector, from a financial point of view and as of the date of the Jefferies opinion, of the exchange ratio to be offered by VGR Holding in the offer. The Jefferies opinion does not (1) address the fairness of the exchange ratio to the New Valley stockholders or any other aspect of the offer, or (2) constitute a recommendation as to (i) how any Vector stockholder should vote on the issuance of shares of Vector common stock or any other matter relevant to the offer, or (ii) whether any New Valley stockholder should tender their common shares of New Valley in the offer. Jefferies did not establish the exchange ratio, which was determined by Vector’s board.

In connection with its opinion, Jefferies, among other things,:


	•	reviewed Vector’s and New Valley’s operations and prospects;

	•	reviewed certain financial and other information about Vector and New Valley that was publicly available;


	•	reviewed information furnished by Vector’s management, including certain internal financial analyses, financial forecasts with respect to Vector and New Valley, budgets, reports and other information;

	•	based on information provided to Jefferies by Vector’s management and outside advisors concerning the tax assets of New Valley and the treatment of New Valley’s net operating losses after giving effect to the short form merger upon completion of the offer, considered the value of New Valley’s tax assets to Vector after giving effect to the offer and the subsequent merger;

	•	held discussions with various members of Vector’s management concerning historical and current operations, financial conditions and prospects, including recent financial performance;

	•	reviewed the share trading price history of Vector and New Valley for a period Jefferies deemed appropriate;

	•	reviewed the valuation of the New Valley implied by the exchange ratio;

	•	reviewed the premiums paid in selected acquisition transactions;

	•	prepared a discounted cash flow analysis of New Valley on a stand-alone basis; and

	•	reviewed an analysis of the combined entity and the resulting earnings accretion/dilution.

In addition, Jefferies conducted such other quantitative reviews, analyses and inquiries relating to Vector and New Valley as Jefferies considered appropriate in rendering its opinion. Jefferies noted that it did not have the opportunity to review any non-public information of or financial forecasts provided by New Valley other than such information and financial forecasts provided to Jefferies by Vector.

In its review and analysis and in rendering its opinion, Jefferies assumed and relied upon, but has not assumed any responsibility to independently investigate or verify, the accuracy, completeness and fair presentation of all financial and other information that was provided to Jefferies by Vector or that was publicly available (including, without limitation, the information described in the bullet points above), or that was otherwise reviewed by Jefferies. Jefferies’ opinion was expressly conditioned upon such information, whether written or oral, being complete, accurate and fair in all respects material to its analysis.

With respect to the financial forecasts provided to and examined by Jefferies, Jefferies noted that projecting future results of any company is inherently subject to uncertainty. Vector informed Jefferies, however, and Jefferies assumed, that such financial forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and good faith judgments of Vector’s management as to the future performance of Vector and New Valley, respectively. Jefferies expressed no opinion as to Vector’s or New Valley’s financial forecasts or the assumptions on which they were made. In addition, in rendering its opinion Jefferies assumed that each of Vector and New Valley will perform in accordance with such financial forecasts for all periods specified therein. Although such financial forecasts did not form the principal basis for Jefferies’ opinion, but rather constituted one of many items that it employed, changes to such financial forecasts could affect its opinion.

In its review, Jefferies did not obtain any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of, nor did it conduct a comprehensive physical inspection of any of the assets of, Vector or New Valley, nor was Jefferies furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals or reports of such physical inspections, nor did Jefferies assume any responsibility to obtain any such evaluations, appraisals or inspections. Jefferies’ opinion was based on economic, monetary, regulatory, market and other conditions existing and which could be evaluated as of the date thereof. Jefferies expressly disclaimed any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any fact or matter affecting its opinion of which Jefferies became aware after the date of its opinion. Jefferies made no independent investigation of any legal or accounting matters affecting Vector or New Valley, and Jefferies assumed the correctness in all respects material to its analysis of all legal and accounting advice given to Vector and Vector’s board, including, without limitation, advice as to the legal, accounting and tax consequences (including, but not

limited to, the treatment of New Valley’s net operating losses after giving effect to the subsequent merger upon completion of the offer) of the terms of the offer to Vector.

Jefferies’ opinion was for the use and benefit of Vector’s board in its consideration of the offer, and its opinion did not address the relative merits of the offer and subsequent merger as compared to any alternative transactions that might be available to Vector, nor did it address the underlying business decision by Vector to engage in the offer. Jefferies expressed no opinion as to the price at which Vector’s common stock will trade at any future time.

In preparing its opinion, Jefferies performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant quantitative and qualitative methods of financial analysis and the applications of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Jefferies believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole. Considering any portion of its analyses and of the factors considered by it, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying the conclusion expressed in its opinion.

In addition, Jefferies may have given various analyses more or less weight than other analyses, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions, so that the range of valuation resulting from any particular analysis described below should not be taken to be Jefferies’ view of Vector’s or New Valley’s actual value. Accordingly, the conclusions reached by Jefferies are based on all analyses and factors taken as a whole and also on the application of Jefferies’ own experience and judgment.

In performing its analyses, Jefferies made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond Vector’s and Jefferies’ control. The analyses performed by Jefferies are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. In addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses or assets do not purport to be appraisals or to necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or assets may actually be sold and are inherently subject to uncertainty. The analyses performed were prepared solely as part of Jefferies’ analysis of the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio and were provided to Vector’s board in connection with the delivery of Jefferies’ opinion.

The following is a summary of the material financial and comparative analyses performed by Jefferies that was presented to Vector’s board on September 27, 2005 in connection with the delivery of its opinion. The financial analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand Jefferies’ financial analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the data described below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Jefferies’ financial analyses.

Transaction Overview. Based upon the closing price per share of Vector’s common stock on September 26, 2005 of $19.54 and an exchange ratio of 0.461 shares of Vector’s common stock to be issued in exchange for each issued and outstanding common share of New Valley that VGR Holding does not already own, Jefferies noted that the implied value of the consideration to be issued in the offer per common share of New Valley was $9.00 per share, which is referred to as the “Implied Share Purchase Price”. Based upon the Implied Share Purchase Price of $9.00 and approximately 22.466 million common shares of New Valley outstanding on a fully diluted basis (excluding approximately 1.07 million unvested, restricted common shares of New Valley owned by Mr. Lorber that were contemplated to be cancelled after delivery of Jefferies’ opinion), Jefferies also noted that the implied aggregate equity value of New Valley was approximately $202.2 million.

Jefferies compared the Implied Share Purchase Price of $9.00 to the daily closing price for New Valley common shares on September 26, 2005 and over various periods ending on that date and noted the following implied offer premiums:

Implied Offer Premiums


			Premium Implied by
	New Valley Common Shares		Implied Share Purchase
Time Period Ending September 26, 2005	Closing Price		Price of $9.00

September 26, 2005	$	7.45		20.8	%
1-Day Prior	$	7.43		21.1	%
1-Week Prior	$	7.57		18.9	%
4-Weeks Prior	$	7.50		20.0	%
6-Months Prior	$	6.50		38.5	%
1-Year Prior	$	4.95		81.8	%
2-Years Prior	$	4.06		121.7	%
52-Week High	$	7.63		18.0	%
52-Week Low	$	4.81		87.1	%

Historical Trading Analysis. Jefferies reviewed the share price trading history of Vector’s common stock and New Valley’s common shares for the one-year period ending September 26, 2005 on a stand-alone basis. Jefferies also reviewed the closing share price and the respective trading volumes for New Valley’s common shares for the one-year period ending September 26, 2005.

Premiums Paid Analysis. Using publicly available information, Jefferies analyzed the premiums offered in public merger and acquisition transactions completed since January 2001 in which majority shareholders acquired the remaining minority interest in the company with transaction values between $100 million and $500 million. For these transactions, Jefferies calculated the average premium represented by the offer price over the target company’s share price for the one day, one week and four week periods prior to the transaction’s announcement and compared them to the proposed purchase price premium relative to the closing price of New Valley’s common shares for the one-day, one-week and four-week period prior to September 26, 2005. This analysis indicated the following:


		Period Prior to September 26, 2005

		One Day			One Week			Four Weeks

New Valley price per share during period		$	7.43		$	7.57		$	7.50
Proposed purchase price per share		$	9.00		$	9.00		$	9.00

	Implied premium		21.1	%		18.9	%		20.0	%
Trimmed average premium paid in other public transactions*			30.1	%		31.0	%		30.7	%


*	Trimmed average is defined as the average of premiums paid, excluding the high and low values.

Balance Sheet Asset/ Liability Analysis. Jefferies performed an analysis of the assets and liabilities set forth on the balance sheet of New Valley, in which it compared the book value of the assets and liabilities on New Valley’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2005 to the estimated value of such assets and

liabilities as of September 26, 2005. The comparison balance sheet analysis included a valuation of the following assets and liabilities:

New Valley Balance Sheet


			Book Value		Estimated Value
			as of		as of
			6/30/2005		9/26/05

ASSETS
Cash and Marketable Securities			$	89,755,479	$	96,100,000
Investment Securities Available for Sale				12,519,304		11,686,094
Other Current Assets				242,000		242,000

	Total Current Assets			102,516,783		108,028,094
Investments in Real Estate:
	St. Regis Hotel			1,377,000		6,250,000
	Koa Hotel			4,958,000		10,672,500
	Douglas Elliman			23,180,000		54,640,845

		Total Investments in Real Estate		29,515,000		71,563,345
Long-Term Investments and Assets, Net				2,552,000		15,911,589
Other Assets				881,000		881,000
Pending Litigation (Westar)				—		6,174,815
Proceeds from Option Exercises				—		1,004,348
Note Receivable from Ladenburg Thalmann				—		4,600,686
Deferred Tax Assets — Unaffiliated 3rd Party Value				—		22,917,434

	Total Asset Value		$	135,464,783	$	231,081,311


LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities			$	2,388,000	$	2,388,000
Prepetition Claims				300,000		300,000
Income Taxes				534,000		534,000
Severance				—		12,819,999
Long-Term Liabilities				2,382,000		2,382,000

	Total Liabilities		$	5,604,000	$	18,423,999

New Valley Equity Value			$	129,860,783	$	212,657,312

Total Liabilities and Equity Value			$	135,464,783	$	231,081,311

Shares Outstanding				23,332,036		22,465,941	*
New Valley Estimated Value Per Share			$	5.57	$	9.47


*	As of August 8, 2005, which amount excludes approximately 1.07 million shares held by Mr. Lorber contemplated to be cancelled.

For purposes of the balance sheet analysis, Jefferies considered or performed the following analyses with respect to the assets and liabilities of New Valley:


	•	For purposes of analyzing New Valley’s marketable securities, the book value of such securities as of June 30, 2005 was compared to the closing market trading price of the securities on September 26, 2005 in order to determine the estimated value of the securities. One of New Valley’s marketable securities is Ladenburg Thalmann, of which New Valley owns 11.1 million shares at a market price of $0.53 per share as of September 26, 2005. Jefferies noted that Ladenburg Thalmann recently completed a $10.0 million private placement of its common stock at


		a price of $0.45 per share. In addition, Jefferies noted that the price at which New Valley would be able to sell its shares in the open market based on current trading volumes and market conditions could be lower than the current market price of the stock or the price at which the stock was sold in the recent private placement.

	•	The analysis of the estimated valuation of New Valley’s interest in Koa Investors, LLC, or Koa Investors, was based on an estimated sale valuation of $105.0 million for the Koa Investors property, less the repayment of $82.0 million of outstanding indebtedness and an estimated $105,000 in transfer taxes, $1.05 million in sales commission and $500,000 in legal fees.

	•	The analysis of the estimated valuation of New Valley’s interest in Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC was based on a recent offer by Prudential Real Estate Financial Services to sell its 20.59% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty for $18.6 million and included the value of an outstanding $9.5 million loan from New Valley to Douglas Elliman Realty.

	•	The estimated value of New Valley’s existing long-term investments in Steel Partners, Ukraine Fund, 411Web.com, CIM Urban Real Estate Fund, L.P. and Amroc was based on information provided by Vector’s management, which amounts were compared to the book value of such long-term investments on New Valley’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2005.

	•	For purposes of analyzing the estimated value of the pending Westar litigation, a present value calculation was performed on the $15.0 million of settlement proceeds that Vector’s management estimated would be received by New Valley in connection with the litigation. The $15.0 million of estimated settlement proceeds was reduced by Vector management’s estimates of the cost of legal expenses to be incurred through December 31, 2008. The present value calculation was performed using a discount rate of 30%, which was based on Jefferies’ assessment of potential risks associated with the actual receipt by New Valley of the settlement proceeds.

	•	For purposes of analyzing the estimated value of the $6.4 million note receivable from Ladenburg Thalmann, which note Vector’s management estimates will be repaid to New Valley in installments through the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, a present value calculation was performed using a discount rate of 25%, which was based on Jefferies’ assessment of the potential risks associated with the actual receipt by New Valley of payments of interest and principal on the note receivable.

	•	The estimated present value of New Valley’s deferred tax assets, including the treatment of New Valley’s $143.8 million in net operating losses, to Vector was $60.4 million compared to $22.9 million, which was the estimated present value of such deferred tax assets to an independent third party.

	•	For purposes of this analysis, the estimated costs to be incurred by New Valley under its management severance arrangements with Messrs. LeBow, Lorber, Lampen and J. Bryant Kirkland III, in the event of an acquisition by a third party, were calculated based on the agreements currently in place with such executive officers of New Valley under the assumption that these individuals would not be retained by the acquiring company.

Based on the foregoing balance sheet analysis, the implied equity value per common share of New Valley was estimated at $9.47 as of September 26, 2005, compared to the Implied Share Purchase Price of $9.00 per common share of New Valley. Jefferies noted, however, that Vector would be directly issuing an additional 500,000 shares of Vector common stock to Mr. Lorber in connection with his election as the Chief Executive Officer of Vector effective January 1, 2006 and Mr. Lorber’s relinquishment and waiver of his approximately 1.07 million unvested, restricted common shares of New Valley. Taking into account the 500,000 shares of Vector common stock contemplated to be issued to Mr. Lorber could be deemed to decrease the implied equity value per common share of New Valley by approximately $0.43 per share.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Jefferies also performed a discounted cash flow analysis of New Valley by performing a discounted cash flow analysis of New Valley’s interest in Douglas Elliman Realty and Koa Investors, and then adding the market value of New Valley’s non-operating assets and subtracting

New Valley’s non-operating liabilities, in each case, as of September 26, 2005. The purpose of the discounted cash flow analysis was to establish a range for the potential per share equity value of New Valley.

First, Jefferies performed a discounted cash flow analysis of the after-tax free cash flows of Douglas Elliman Realty using projections provided by Vector’s management for the six months ended December 31, 2005 and the years ending December 31, 2006 through 2010. Jefferies discounted the projected, after-tax free cash flows through December 31, 2010 using discount rates ranging from 9% to 11%, which discount rates were based upon Douglas Elliman Realty’s weighted average cost of capital as measured by Jefferies. Jefferies then added to the present value of the after-tax free cash flows the terminal value of Douglas Elliman Realty at December 31, 2010, discounted back at the same discount rate to represent a present value. The terminal value was computed by multiplying Douglas Elliman Realty’s earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) by a terminal EBITDA multiple for Douglas Elliman Realty ranging from 3.5x to 4.5x. Jefferies then aggregated (i) the present value of the after-tax free cash flows over the applicable projection period with (ii) the present value of the terminal value. The aggregate present value of these items represented the enterprise value of Douglas Elliman Realty. To determine the implied total equity value of Douglas Elliman Realty, Jefferies subtracted Douglas Elliman Realty’s debt and working capital from the implied enterprise value for Douglas Elliman Realty. This total equity value was multiplied by New Valley’s 50% ownership stake in Douglas Elliman Realty, and the $9.5 million loan payable by Douglas Elliman Realty to New Valley was added to this amount to arrive at the estimated value of New Valley’s ownership stake in Douglas Elliman Realty. Based on the discounted cash flow analysis for Douglas Elliman Realty described above, the analysis implied an equity valuation range of $51.0 million to $68.5 million for New Valley’s 50% interest in Douglas Elliman Realty.

Next, Jefferies performed a discounted cash flow analysis of the after-tax free cash flows of Koa Investors using projections provided by Vector’s management for the years ending December 31, 2006 through 2010. Jefferies discounted the projected, after-tax free cash flows through December 31, 2010 using discount rates ranging from 7% to 9%, which discount rates were based upon Koa Investors’ weighted average cost of capital as measured by Jefferies. Jefferies then added to the present value of the after-tax free cash flows the terminal value of Koa Investors at December 31, 2010, discounted back at the same discount rate to represent a present value. The terminal value was estimated to be a range of sale valuations for the business ranging from proceeds of $100 million to $110 million. Jefferies aggregated (i) the present value of the after-tax free cash flows over the applicable projection period with (ii) the present value of the terminal value. The aggregate present value of these items represented the enterprise value of Koa Investors. To determine the implied total equity value of Koa Investors, Jefferies subtracted Koa Investors debt from the implied enterprise value for Koa Investors and then multiplied this total equity value by New Valley’s ownership stake in Koa Investors. Based on the discounted cash flow analysis for Koa Investors described above, the analysis implied an equity valuation range of $0.0 million to $6.6 million for New Valley’s interest in Koa Investors.

Finally, Jefferies aggregated the low, medium and high equity valuation ranges described in the discounted cash flow analyses of Douglas Elliman Realty and Koa Investors set forth above, and added the market value of the non-operating assets of New Valley and subtracted the non-operating liabilities of New Valley, in each case, as of September 26, 2005, to determine a total implied equity value for New Valley. This discounted cash flow analysis implied an equity value range per share of $8.83 to $9.90 for New Valley, compared to the Implied Share Purchase Price of $9.00 per share based on an exchange ratio of 0.461 shares of Vector’s common stock to be issued in exchange for each outstanding common share of New Valley.


	*Pro Forma Financial Analysis*

Jefferies also analyzed the potential pro forma financial effect of the offer and the subsequent merger on Vector’s estimated earnings per share, or EPS, for calendar years 2005 and 2006 after giving effect to the potential cost savings that could result from the offer and the subsequent merger. Estimated data for

Vector and New Valley, including estimates of potential cost savings that could result from the offer and the subsequent merger, were based on Vector management’s estimates. Based on the exchange ratio, this analysis suggested that the offer and the subsequent merger could be accretive to Vector’s estimated EPS (after giving effect to the pro forma tax savings) in calendar years 2005 and 2006. The actual results achieved by the combined company may vary from projected results and the variations may be material.

Jefferies’ opinion was one of many factors taken into consideration by the Vector board in making its determination to approve the exchange ratio and to commence the offer and should not be considered determinative of the views of the Vector board or Vector’s management with respect to the exchange ratio or the offer.

Jefferies was selected by the Vector board based on Jefferies’ qualifications, expertise and reputation. Jefferies is an internationally recognized investment banking and advisory firm. Jefferies, as part of its investment banking business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, financial restructurings and other financial services.

In the ordinary course of business, Jefferies and its affiliates may trade or hold such securities of Vector or New Valley for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in those securities. Jefferies or its affiliates have also, in the past, provided financial advisory services to Vector and certain stockholders of Vector and may continue to do so, and have received, and may receive, customary fees for such services. In addition, Jefferies or its affiliates currently are and have, in the past, provided financial advisory services to certain stockholders of New Valley and may continue to do so, and will receive, have received, and may receive, customary fees for such services. In connection with Vector’s convertible note offering in November 2004, the purchasers of the notes required Mr. LeBow to enter into an agreement granting Jefferies, as placement agent for such offering, the right, in its sole discretion, to borrow up to 3,646,518 shares of Vector common stock from Mr. LeBow or an entity affiliated with him during a 30-month period, subject to extension under various conditions, and that he agree not to dispose of such shares during this period, subject to limited exceptions. In addition, in connection with Vector’s convertible note offering in April 2005, Jefferies, as initial purchaser in such offering, entered into a similar arrangement through May 2007 with Mr. Lorber with respect to 315,000 shares of Vector common stock.

Pursuant to an engagement letter between Vector and Jefferies dated as of September 27, 2005, Vector has agreed to pay Jefferies a customary fee for its services in connection with the offer upon delivery of its opinion. Jefferies will also be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred, including the fees and disbursements of Jefferies’ counsel. Vector has agreed to indemnify Jefferies against liabilities arising out of or in connection with the services rendered or to be rendered by it under its engagement.

ADDITIONAL FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION BY

NEW VALLEY STOCKHOLDERS

In deciding whether or not to tender your common shares of New Valley, you should consider the factors set forth under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 and the other factors set forth in this Prospectus. While we believe the offer should be attractive to you as a New Valley stockholder, you should also consider the following matters:


	•	As a stockholder of Vector, your interest in the performance and prospects of New Valley would only be indirect and in proportion to your share ownership in Vector. You therefore may not realize the same financial benefits of future appreciation in the value of New Valley, if any, that you may realize if the offer and the subsequent merger were not completed and you remain a New Valley stockholder.

	•	An investment in a company of New Valley’s size may be associated with greater risk and a greater potential for gain than an investment in a much larger company like Vector.


	•	As this offer has been made directly to New Valley stockholders by means of an exchange offer, Vector controls the conditions, timing and price of the offer, and has reserved the right to unilaterally modify any of the terms of the offer, except that we will not modify or waive the Registration Statement effectiveness condition, the Vector stockholder approval condition, the listing condition, and the minimum tender condition.

	•	The exchange ratio reflects a value per common share of New Valley above the closing price of New Valley common shares on September 26, 2005 of $7.45 and above the highest closing price at which common shares of New Valley have closed before the announcement of our exchange offer, $7.63, which was reached on August 25, 2005. However, this value is below the closing price of New Valley common shares of $9.15 on October 5, 2005, the highest price at which common shares of New Valley have closed following the announcement of our offer.

In addition to the foregoing, we are aware that on or about September 29, 2005, an individual stockholder of New Valley filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery purporting to commence a class action lawsuit against Vector, New Valley, and each of the individual directors of New Valley. On or about September 29, 2005, a separate action was filed in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida. In general, the complaints allege, among other things: (1) breaches of fiduciary duty by Vector, New Valley and the members of New Valley’s board in connection with the offer and the subsequent merger; (2) that the consideration Vector is offering is inadequate; and (3) that Vector is acting to further its own interests at the expense of the holders of New Valley’s common shares. Among other remedies, the complaints seek to enjoin the offer and subsequent merger or, alternatively, damages in an unspecified amount and rescission in the event the subsequent merger occurs. See “Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals — Stockholder Litigation” beginning on page 63 for a more detailed discussion of these lawsuits.

FINANCIAL FORECASTS

New Valley Forecasts

It is our understanding that New Valley does not as a matter of course make public any projections as to future performance, earnings or net asset value, and the projections set forth below are included in this Prospectus only because this information was prepared by Vector and provided to Jefferies in connection with its discounted cash flow valuation of New Valley’s Douglas Elliman business and Koa Investors and are based on information received by Vector as a stockholder of New Valley. The prospective financial information was not prepared with a view to public disclosure or compliance with the published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants regarding the preparation of prospective financial information. The projections do not purport to present operations or financial condition in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The prospective financial information included in this Prospectus has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, Vector’s management. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has neither examined nor compiled the accompanying prospective financial information and, accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report included in this Prospectus relates to Vector’s and New Valley’s historical financial information. It does not extend to the prospective financial information and should not be read to do so. It is Vector’s belief that these projections are subjective in many respects and thus susceptible to interpretations and periodic revision based on actual experience and business developments. The projections also reflect numerous assumptions made by Vector, and, Vector believes, by management of New Valley, with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, all of which are difficult to predict, and many of which are beyond New Valley’s control. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the assumptions made in preparing the projections will prove accurate. It is expected that there will be differences between actual and projected results, and actual results may be materially greater or less than those contained in the projections. The inclusion of the projections herein should not be regarded as an indication that any of Vector or New

Valley or their respective affiliates or representatives considered or consider the projections to be a reliable prediction of future events, and the projections should not be relied upon as such.

The projections anticipate results for the years 2006 through 2010 and do not reflect our offer and the subsequent merger. Management believes that Douglas Elliman Realty’s future earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and its projected cash available for distribution, net of tax distributions, in each of those years will not vary significantly from its estimated EBITDA for 2005 of $37.2 million and cash available for distribution, net of tax distributions, of $18.3 million. The projections for Douglas Elliman Realty are based on management’s assumption that Douglas Elliman Realty’s number of brokers will remain stable, any increases in operating expenses will be offset by increases in net commission income and the number of sales transactions and home prices in New York City and Long Island will remain stable. Nonetheless, the real estate market is a volatile industry and the length of the period covered by these projections makes it difficult to predict whether future results will be indicative of past performance. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these projections. For Koa Investors, the projected net operating income for each of those years is $5.7 million, $6.0 million, $6.5 million, $7.5 million and $8.5 million, respectively; and the projected cash available for distribution in each of those years is $3.4 million, $3.6 million, $3.9 million, $4.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively. The projections for Koa Investors are based on the property manager’s estimates of average occupancy rates in the hotel of 64%, 69%, 73%, 76% and 76% from 2006 to 2010, respectively, and increases in average daily room rates of 8%, 8%, 3% and 3% from 2006 to 2010, respectively, with costs increasing at approximately 3% per year. Management then reduced the property manager’s projections to reflect potential shortfalls in the operating budget. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these projections.

Neither Vector nor any of its affiliates or representatives has made or makes any representation to any person regarding the ultimate performance of New Valley compared to the information contained in the projections, and to Vector’s knowledge, none of them intends to update or otherwise revise the projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date when made or to reflect the occurrence of future events even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the projections are shown to be in error.

For important information regarding the foregoing forward looking statements, please see “Forward-Looking Information” beginning on page 23.

Vector Forecasts

Vector does not as a matter of course make public any projections as to future performance, earnings or net asset value and the projections set forth below are included in this Prospectus only because this information was prepared by Vector and provided to Jefferies in connection with its accretion/dilution analysis. The prospective financial information was not prepared with a view to public disclosure or compliance with the published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants regarding the preparation of prospective financial information. The projections do not purport to present operations or financial condition in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The prospective financial information included in this Prospectus has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, Vector’s management. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has neither examined nor compiled the accompanying prospective financial information and, accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report included in this Prospectus relates to Vector’s and New Valley’s historical financial information. It does not extend to the prospective financial information and should not be read to do so. Vector’s internal financial forecasts (upon which the projections provided herein were based) are, in general, prepared solely for internal use and capital budgeting and other management decisions and are subjective in many respects and thus susceptible to interpretations and periodic revision based on actual experience and business developments. The projections also reflect numerous assumptions made by management of Vector with respect to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, all of which are difficult to predict, many of which are beyond Vector’s control, and none of which are subject to approval by Vector.

Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the assumptions made in preparing the projections will prove accurate. It is expected that there will be differences between actual and projected results, and actual results may be materially greater or less than those contained in the projections. The inclusion of the projections herein should not be regarded as an indication that any of Vector or its respective affiliates or representatives considered or consider the projections to be a reliable prediction of future events, and the projections should not be relied upon as such.

The projections anticipate results for the year 2006 and do not reflect our offer and the subsequent merger. The projected revenues for that year are $581.1 million; the projected operating income for that year is $92.8 million; and the projected net income for that year is $43.1 million. The Vector projections are based on an anticipated increase in unit sales, primarily in the deep discount cigarette segment, with stable pricing, an increase of approximately 3% in selling, general and administrative expenses, and net interest expense of approximately $31.0 million.

Neither Vector nor any of its affiliates or representatives has made or makes any representation to any person regarding the ultimate performance of Vector compared to the information contained in the projections, and to Vector’s knowledge, none of them intends to update or otherwise revise the projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date when made or to reflect the occurrence of future events even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the projections are shown to be in error.

For important information regarding the foregoing forward looking statements, please see “Forward-Looking Information” beginning on page 23.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the six months ended June 30, 2005 and the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2005 have been prepared to give effect to the offer and the subsequent merger. The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations assume that the offer and the subsequent merger had been consummated as of the beginning of the periods presented and the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet is presented as if the offer and the subsequent merger had occurred as of June 30, 2005. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations or the financial position which would have actually been obtained if the offer and the subsequent merger had been consummated as of the beginning of the periods or the date indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial information does not purport to be indicative of results of operations or financial position which may be obtained in the future.

The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations do not include the realization of any cost savings from operating efficiencies and synergies that may result from the consummation of the offer and the subsequent merger.

The unaudited pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with Vector’s and New Valley’s historical Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in Vector’s and New Valley’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as amended, and their respective Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005.

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005


						Purchase
						Accounting
						Adjustments/
			Historical			Eliminations			Pro-Forma

			(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues*			$	217,286		$	—		$	217,286
Expenses:
	Cost of goods sold*			124,900			—			124,900
	Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses			49,376			—			49,376

		Operating income		43,010			—			43,010
Other income (expenses):
	Interest and dividend income			1,880			—			1,880
	Interest expense			(15,889	)		—			(15,889	)
	Gain on sale of investments, net			1,425			—			1,425
	Gain from conversion of LTS notes			9,461			—			9,461
	Equity loss on operations of LTS			(299	)		—			(299	)
	Equity income from non-consolidated New Valley real estate businesses			2,018			—			2,018
	Other, net			56			—			56

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests				41,662			—			41,662
	Income tax expense			21,781			861	^(B)		22,642
	Minority interests			(1,624	)		1,624	^(C)		—

Income from continuing operations			$	18,257		$	763		$	19,020

Per basic common share:
	Income from continuing operations^(A)		$	0.41					$	0.39

Per diluted common share:
	Income from continuing operations^(A)		$	0.40					$	0.38


*	Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $70,443.

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004


						Purchase
						Accounting
						Adjustments/
			Historical			Eliminations			Pro-Forma

			(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
	Tobacco*		$	498,860		$	—		$	498,860
Expenses:
	Cost of goods sold*			325,663			—			325,663
	Operating, selling, administrative and general expenses			144,051			(4,177	)^(D)		139,874
	Restructuring and impairment charges			13,699			—			13,699

		Operating income		15,447			4,177			19,624
Other income (expenses):
	Interest and dividend income			2,563			—			2,563
	Interest expense			(25,077	)		—			(25,077	)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			(5,333	)		—			(5,333	)
	Gain on sale of investments, net			8,664			—			8,664
	Equity income from non-consolidated New Valley real estate businesses			9,782			—			9,782
	Other, net			60			—			60

Income from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes and minority interests				6,106			4,177			10,283
	Benefit for income taxes			(6,960	)		5,214	^(B)		(1,746	)
	Minority interests			(9,027	)		9,022	^(C)		(5	)

Income from continuing operations			$	4,039		$	7,985		$	12,024

Per basic common share:
	Income from continuing operations^(A)		$	0.09					$	0.25

Per diluted common share:
	Income from continuing operations^(A)		$	0.09					$	0.24


*	Revenues and Cost of goods sold include excise taxes of $175,674.

VECTOR GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

June 30, 2005


							Purchase
							Accounting
							Adjustments/
				Historical			Eliminations			Pro-Forma

				(Dollars in thousands, except
				per share amounts)
ASSETS:
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	163,489		$	—		$	163,489
	Investment securities available for sale				19,681			—			19,681
	Accounts receivable — trade				10,974			—			10,974
	Other receivables				519			—			519
	Inventories				75,580			—			75,580
	Deferred income taxes				3,559			—			3,559
	Other current assets				9,120			—			9,120

		Total current assets			282,922			—			282,922
Property, plant and equipment, net					64,305			—			64,305
Assets held for sale					2,212			—			2,212
Long-term investments, net					2,554			5,423	^(G)		7,977
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses					29,515			18,042	^(G)		47,557
Restricted assets					5,082			—			5,082
Deferred income taxes					18,381			—			18,381
Intangible asset					107,511			—			107,511
Goodwill					—			17,932	^(G)		17,932
Other assets					14,992			—			14,992

		Total assets		$	527,474		$	41,397		$	568,871


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):
Current liabilities:
	Current portion of notes payable and long-term debt			$	5,077		$	—		$	5,077
	Accounts payable				8,529			—			8,529
	Accrued promotional expenses				16,452			—			16,452
	Accrued taxes payable, net				31,097			—			31,097
	Settlement accruals				13,866			(2,993	) ^(D)		10,873
	Tobacco quota buyout				9,835			—			9,835
	Deferred income taxes				4,174			—			4,174
	Accrued interest				5,712			—			5,712
	Other accrued liabilities				15,461			3,750	^(E),(G)		19,211

		Total current liabilities			110,203			757			110,960
Notes payable, long-term debt and other obligations, less current portion					239,583			—			239,583
Fair value of derivatives embedded within convertible debt					41,325			—			41,325
Noncurrent employee benefits					16,812			—			16,812
Deferred income taxes					147,280			(21,167	) ^(F)		135,393
								9,280	^(G)
Other liabilities					5,348			—			5,348
Minority interests					58,346			(58,346	) ^(G)		—
Commitments and contingencies					—			—			—
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
	Common stock, par value $0.10 per share				4,197			434	^(G)		4,631
	Additional paid-in capital				217,124			21,167	^(F)		323,981
								85,690	^(G)
	Unearned compensation				(3,323	)		—			(3,323	)
	Deficit				(282,249	)		2,993	^(D)		(279,256	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(11,020	)		589	^(G)		(10,431	)
	Less: Treasury stock, at cost				(16,152	)		—			(16,152	)

			Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)		(91,423	)		110,873			19,450

			Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$	527,474		$	41,397		$	568,871

Preliminary Purchase Price and Purchase Price Allocation

The pro forma purchase price which would have been paid to New Valley stockholders under the exchange ratio for the offer and the subsequent merger at September 27, 2005 (all dollars are stated in thousands, except per share amounts):


Purchase price allocated to New Valley net assets:
Number of common shares of New Valley outstanding at September 27, 2005		22,260,607
Number of common shares of New Valley outstanding at September 27, 2005 held by Vector		12,849,118

Number of common shares of New Valley outstanding at September 27, 2005 not owned by Vector		9,411,489
Exchange ratio		0.461

Number of shares of Vector common stock to be issued		4,338,696
Average closing price per share of Vector common stock for the five trading days ended September 30, 2005 (two days prior and two days subsequent to September 27, 2005)	$	19.74

Fair value of Vector common stock to be issued	$	85,646
Fair value of stock options to be acquired (Note(H))		1,067
Transaction fees and other costs (Note(E))		3,750

Total purchase price	$	90,463

The purchase price was computed using the information available on the announcement date of September 27, 2005, and reflects the Vector common stock average closing price for the five days including the announcement date and the two days prior and the two days after the announcement date. However, the actual purchase price will fluctuate with the market price of Vector’s common stock and the number of outstanding common shares of New Valley until the effective time of the offer and the subsequent merger.

Under the purchase method of accounting, Vector will allocate the purchase price paid by Vector to the fair value of the New Valley assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The pro forma purchase price allocation is preliminary as the transaction has not yet occurred. The pro forma presentation presumes that the historical value of New Valley’s tangible assets and liabilities approximates their fair value. Additionally, the allocation of purchase price to acquired intangible assets is preliminary and subject to the final outcome of management analyses, with the assistance of valuation advisors, to be conducted as of the completion of the offer and the subsequent merger. The residual amount after preliminary allocation to identifiable intangibles of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill. The actual amounts recorded when the offer and the subsequent merger are completed may differ materially from the pro forma amounts presented herein (in thousands):


Tangible assets acquired:
Current assets	$	102,516
Long-term investments		15,380
Investments in non-consolidated real estate businesses		72,190
Other assets		881

Total tangible assets acquired		190,967
Adjustment to reflect Vector’s stock ownership of New Valley prior to the offer and subsequent merger		(101,802	)
Liabilities assumed		(7,354	)
Deferred tax liability related to acquired long-term investments and non-consolidated real estate businesses		(9,280	)

Total assets acquired in excess of liabilities assumed	$	72,531
Goodwill		17,932

Total purchase price	$	90,463


(A)		Average Number of Common Shares of New Valley Outstanding. Both the basic and diluted average number of common shares of New Valley outstanding have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the offer and the subsequent merger by applying the 0.461 exchange ratio to amounts historically reported by New Valley.

(B)		Income Taxes. The pro forma adjustment to provision for income taxes represents the application of Vector’s and New Valley’s estimated statutory tax rates to each company’s respective share of the pro forma adjustments impacting pretax income.

(C)		Minority Interests. Under the purchase method of accounting, Vector’s historical minority interest in New Valley’s results from operations will be eliminated upon the completion of the offer and the subsequent merger.

(D)		Intercompany Transactions. To eliminate an intercompany expense and liability, net of minority interests, from Vector to New Valley related to the settlement of litigation.

(E)		Transaction Fees (in thousands). Various transaction fees and other costs, estimated to total approximately $2,000 and $1,750, have been or are expected to be incurred by Vector and New Valley, respectively, in connection with the offer and the subsequent merger and will be considered part of the purchase price (and have been reflected as such).

(F)		Elimination of Deferred Tax Liability Associated with New Valley. Under the purchase method of accounting, Vector’s deferred tax liability associated with book and tax basis differences in its investment in New Valley, will be eliminated upon the completion of the offer and the subsequent merger.

(G)		Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill and Related Adjustments. Under the purchase method of accounting, the combined company will allocate the purchase price paid by Vector to the fair value of the New Valley tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The combined company will also eliminate Vector’s minority interest in its investment in New Valley. The pro


		forma purchase price allocation is preliminary as the transaction has not yet taken place. Therefore, the pro forma presentation assumes that the historical value of New Valley’s tangible assets and liabilities approximates fair value. Additionally, the allocation of purchase price to acquired intangible assets is preliminary and subject to the final outcome of management analyses to be conducted upon the completion of the offer and subsequent merger. The residual amount of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill. The actual amounts recorded when such merger is completed may differ materially from the pro forma amounts presented herein.

		The preliminary pro forma purchase price allocation is summarized as follows (in thousands):


Excess of New Valley tangible assets acquired over liabilities assumed at September 27, 2005	$	81,811
Deferred tax liability related to acquired long-term investments and non-consolidated real estate businesses		(9,280	)
Goodwill		17,932

Total Purchase Price	$	90,463


(H)		Fair Value of Stock Options. At the effective time of the subsequent merger, each outstanding option to purchase common shares of New Valley under New Valley’s stock plans, whether vested or unvested, will fully vest (if unvested) and will be deemed to constitute an option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such New Valley option, a number of shares of Vector common stock.

		The fair value of the options issued to New Valley option holders represents an additional cost incurred by Vector to acquire New Valley. The aggregate fair value of these options, for the purposes of the pro forma balance sheet, was calculated using the following assumptions as inputs to the Black-Scholes option valuation formula:


Weighted average expected term (years)		0.76 - 9.76 years
Weighted average risk-free interest rate		3.98% to 4.23%
Weighted average expected volatility		30%
Weighted average per-share fair value		$5.20
Number of shares underlying options (at September 27, 2005)		205,333
Aggregate fair value — allocated to purchase price (in thousands)		$1,067


		These amounts are preliminary, and the actual amounts to be recorded upon completion of the offer and the subsequent merger may be significantly different than the pro forma amounts. The aggregate fair value of the stock options following the offer and the subsequent merger will fluctuate with the market price of Vector’s common stock as well as with periodic changes to the other Black-Scholes assumptions.

(I)		Reconciliation of Equity. The following table reconciles adjustments to Vector’s equity accounts (in thousands).


Equity portion of purchase price	$	86,713
Elimination of Intercompany Liability (Note (D))		2,993
Elimination of Deferred Tax Liability (Note (F))		21,167

Increase to Stockholders’ Equity	$	110,873

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

Vector

Vector’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VGR”. In the following table we present the high and low sales prices per share of Vector common stock, as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system, for the quarterly periods presented below. We also present the quarterly cash dividends paid during the applicable periods.


					Cash
	High		Low		Dividends

2005:
Fourth Quarter (through Oct. 19)	$	20.20	$	18.67	$	—
Third Quarter		20.27		17.01		.38
Second Quarter		18.78		14.29		.38
First Quarter		16.02		14.62		.38
2004:
Fourth Quarter	$	16.11	$	14.16	$	.38
Third Quarter		15.95		13.62		.36
Second Quarter		15.71		13.20		.36
First Quarter		16.55		14.67		.36
2003:
Fourth Quarter	$	15.65	$	12.98	$	.36
Third Quarter		15.76		12.09		.35
Second Quarter		15.59		9.47		.35
First Quarter		12.52		9.50		.35

We paid 5% stock dividends on September 29, 2003, September 29, 2004 and September 29, 2005 to the holders of our common stock. All information presented in this Prospectus is adjusted for the stock dividends.

The closing sale price for the shares of Vector’s common stock on September 26, 2005, the last full trading date prior to Vector’s announcement of the exchange ratio for our offer, was $19.54. The closing sales price on October 19, 2005, the last trading date prior to the printing of this Prospectus for which this information was practicably available, was $19.57. You are urged to obtain current market quotations.

As of October 19, 2005, there were approximately 44,592,890 shares of Vector common stock outstanding and approximately 420 holders of record of Vector’s common stock.

Vector Dividend Policy. The holders of shares of Vector common stock receive dividends if and when declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. We currently pay quarterly cash dividends at a rate of $0.40 per share. We currently expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends at this rate on a basis consistent with our past practice following completion of the offer and the subsequent merger. However, payment of dividends is within the discretion of Vector’s board and is subject to a variety of contingencies such as market conditions, earnings and our financial condition as well as the availability of cash. No assurance can be given that we will continue to pay cash dividends on our common stock at the current rate in the future or that stock dividends will be declared in the future.

On September 9, 2005, Vector declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share and a 5% stock dividend paid on September 29, 2005 to holders of record of Vector common stock on September 20, 2005.

A special dividend of 0.23 of a share of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. common stock was paid on each share of Vector common stock on March 30, 2005.

New Valley

New Valley’s common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NVAL”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per common share of New Valley for the quarterly periods presented below. New Valley has not paid cash dividends since its emergence from bankruptcy proceedings in January 1995.


	High		Low

2005:
Fourth Quarter (through Oct. 19)	$	9.25	$	7.26
Third Quarter		10.41		6.60
Second Quarter		7.30		6.00
First Quarter		7.22		5.51
2004:
Fourth Quarter	$	6.78	$	4.68
Third Quarter		5.25		3.70
Second Quarter		4.69		3.66
First Quarter		4.34		4.00
2003:
Fourth Quarter	$	4.44	$	3.60
Third Quarter		4.53		3.71
Second Quarter		5.00		3.11
First Quarter		4.74		3.18

The closing sale price for the common shares of New Valley on September 26, 2005, the last full trading date prior to Vector’s announcement of the offer’s exchange ratio, was $7.45. The closing sales price of New Valley common shares on October 19, 2005, the last trading date prior to the printing of this Prospectus for which this information was practicably available, was $9.00. You are urged to obtain current market quotations.

As of October 19, 2005, there were 22,260,607 common shares of New Valley outstanding. Based on information received by us from New Valley, there were approximately 10,400 holders of record of New Valley’s common shares as of October 5, 2005.

A special dividend of 0.852 of a share of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. common stock was paid on each common share of New Valley on March 30, 2005.

THE OFFER

Exchange of Common Shares of New Valley

officers of New Valley) will have also validly tendered and not properly withdrawn their common shares of New Valley in our offer. We will not waive this minimum condition. As of October 19, 2005, there were 22,260,607 common shares of New Valley outstanding. Accordingly, for us to acquire any common shares of New Valley, stockholders of New Valley must, based on this information as to New Valley’s outstanding common shares, have tendered into the offer, and not withdrawn, as of the expiration of the offer, at least 7,185,429 common shares of New Valley (based on the number of outstanding common shares of New Valley as of the date of this Prospectus). These share numbers would change as a result of changes in New Valley’s share capitalization, such as through the exercise of outstanding stock options. There are also other conditions to the offer that are described under “— Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58.

If we successfully complete the offer in accordance with its terms, we would then own at least 90% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley and be permitted under Delaware law to effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley without the approval of New Valley’s board or remaining stockholders. We will effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley as soon as practicable after we complete the offer unless we are prevented from doing so by a court or other legal requirement. Each outstanding common share of New Valley we do not own or acquire in the offer would be converted in the subsequent merger into the right to receive 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock and cash instead of fractional shares, the same consideration per common share of New Valley you would have received if you had tendered your shares into the offer, unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law. See “— Purpose of the Offer; The Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 55 and “— Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 56. After completion of the subsequent merger, New Valley will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector.

When we refer to the expiration of the offer we mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, December 1, 2005, unless we extend the period of time for which the offer is open, in which case the offer will expire, and references to the expiration of the offer will mean, the latest time and date on which the offer is open.

You will not receive any fractional shares of Vector common stock in the offer or the subsequent merger. Instead of any fractional share, tendering stockholders will receive cash equal to the product of that fractional share, after combining all fractional shares to which you would otherwise be entitled, and the closing price of Vector common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day before the time that the offer expires.

If you are the record owner of your shares and you tender your shares directly to the Exchange Agent and Depositary, you will not be obligated to pay any charges or expenses of the Exchange Agent and Depositary or any brokerage commissions. If you own your shares through a broker or other nominee, and your broker or nominee tenders the shares on your behalf, your broker or nominee may charge you a fee for doing so. You should consult your broker or nominee to determine whether any charges will apply.

Except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, VGR Holding will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer of any common shares of New Valley pursuant to the offer. If, however, the consideration for any common shares of New Valley acquired in the offer is to be paid to a person other than the registered holder or holders, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or holders, such other person or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other person must be paid by the person tendering the common shares of New Valley unless evidence satisfactory to VGR Holding of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.

Timing of the Offer

We are commencing the offer on October 20, 2005. Our offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, December 1, 2005, unless we extend the period of the offer. All

references to the expiration of the offer mean the time of expiration, as extended. For more information, see the discussion under “— Extension, Termination and Amendment” immediately below.

Extension, Termination and Amendment

We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to extend, on one or more occasions, the period of time during which the offer remains open, and we can do so by giving oral or written notice of extension to the Exchange Agent and Depositary. If we decide to extend our offer, we will make an announcement to that effect no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration. We are not making any assurances that we will exercise our right to extend our offer. During any extension, all common shares of New Valley previously tendered and not properly withdrawn will remain deposited with the Exchange Agent and Depositary, subject to your right to withdraw your common shares of New Valley as described below under “— Withdrawal Rights” beginning on page 51.

Subject to the SEC’s applicable rules and regulations, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to delay, on one or more occasions, our acceptance for exchange of common shares of New Valley pursuant to our offer. We also reserve the right to terminate our offer and not accept for exchange any common shares of New Valley, upon the failure of any of the conditions of the offer to be satisfied or, where permissible, waived, or otherwise to amend the offer in any respect (except as described below), by giving oral or written notice of delay, termination or amendment to the Exchange Agent and Depositary and by making a public announcement.

We will follow any extension, delay, termination or amendment, as promptly as practicable, with a public announcement. Subject to applicable law, including Rules 14d-4(c) and 14d-6(d) under the Exchange Act, which require that any material change in the information published, sent or given to the stockholders in connection with the offer be promptly sent to stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform stockholders of the change, and without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we assume no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any public announcement other than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service.

We expressly reserve the right to modify, on one or more occasions, the terms and conditions of the offer, except that we will not modify or waive the Registration Statement effectiveness condition, the Vector stockholder approval condition, the listing condition, and the minimum tender condition.

If we make a material change in the terms of the offer or the information concerning the offer, or if we waive a material condition of the offer, we will extend the offer to the extent required under the Exchange Act.

Delivery of Vector Common Stock

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the offer, including, if the offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of the extension or amendment, we will accept for exchange common shares of New Valley validly tendered and not properly withdrawn promptly after the expiration of the offer and will exchange Vector common stock and cash instead of fractional shares for the tendered common shares of New Valley as soon as practicable afterwards. In all cases, exchange of common shares of New Valley tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the offer will be made only if the Exchange Agent and Depositary timely receives (1) certificates for those common shares of New Valley, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those common shares of New Valley in the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or a duly executed copy thereof, and any other required documents; or (2) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of those common shares of New Valley in the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC, together with an “agent’s message” as described below under “— Procedure for Tendering Shares”.

For purposes of the offer, we will be deemed to have accepted for exchange common shares of New Valley validly tendered and not properly withdrawn when, as and if we notify the Exchange Agent and Depositary of our acceptance of the tender of those common shares of New Valley pursuant to the offer. The Exchange Agent and Depositary will deliver shares of Vector common stock in exchange for common shares of New Valley pursuant to the offer and cash instead of a fraction of a share of Vector common stock as soon as practicable after receipt of our notice. The Exchange Agent and Depositary will act as agent for tendering New Valley stockholders for the purpose of receiving Vector common stock and cash to be paid instead of a fraction of a share of Vector common stock and transmitting the stock and cash to you. You will not receive any interest on any cash that we pay you, even if there is a delay in making the exchange.

If we do not accept common shares of New Valley for exchange pursuant to the offer or if certificates are submitted for more common shares of New Valley than are tendered into the offer, we will return certificates for these unexchanged common shares of New Valley without expense to the tendering stockholder. If we do not accept common shares of New Valley for exchange pursuant to the offer, common shares of New Valley tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedures set forth below under “— Procedure for Tendering Shares”, will be credited to the account maintained with DTC from which those shares were originally transferred, as soon as practicable following expiration or termination of the offer.

Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Vector Common Stock

We will not issue any fraction of a share of Vector common stock pursuant to the offer or the subsequent merger. Instead, each tendering stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Vector common stock, after combining all fractional shares to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled, will receive cash in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the fraction of a share of Vector common stock after combining all fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled by (2) the closing price of Vector common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day before the time that the offer expires.

Procedure for Tendering Shares

For you to validly tender common shares of New Valley into our offer, you must do one of the following:


	•	Deliver certificates for your shares, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or a duly executed copy thereof, along with any other required documents, to the Exchange Agent and Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus prior to the expiration of the offer;

	•	Arrange for a book-entry transfer of your shares to be made to the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC and receipt by the Exchange Agent and Depositary of a confirmation of this transfer prior to the expiration of the offer, and the delivery of a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or a duly executed copy thereof, and any other required documents to the Exchange Agent and Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus prior to the expiration of the offer; or

	•	Arrange for a book-entry transfer of your shares to the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account at DTC and receipt by the Exchange Agent and Depositary of confirmation of this transfer, including an “agent’s message”, prior to the expiration of the offer.

These deliveries and arrangements must be made before the expiration of the offer. Tenders by Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will not be accepted.

The term “agent’s message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Exchange Agent and Depositary and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the common shares of New

Valley which are the subject of the book-entry confirmation, that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that we may enforce that agreement against the participant.

The Exchange Agent and Depositary will establish an account with respect to the common shares of New Valley at DTC for purposes of the offer within two business days after the date of the distribution of this Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of the common shares of New Valley by causing DTC to transfer these common shares of New Valley into the Exchange Agent and Depositary’s account in accordance with DTC’s procedure for the transfer. For a tender made by transfer of common shares of New Valley through book-entry delivery at DTC to be valid, the Exchange Agent and Depositary must receive a book-entry confirmation of transfer and either a duly executed Letter of Transmittal or a duly executed copy thereof, along with any other required documents at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus by the expiration date of the offer, or an agent’s message as part of the book-entry confirmation.

Signatures on all Letters of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution, except in cases in which common shares of New Valley are tendered either by a registered holder of common shares of New Valley who has not completed the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on the Letter of Transmittal or for the account of an eligible institution. By “eligible institution”, we mean a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings association or other entity which is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association Inc., including the Securities Transfer Agent’s Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) and the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP) or any other “eligible guarantor institution”, as that term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act.

If the certificates for common shares of New Valley are registered in the name of a person other than the person who signs the Letter of Transmittal, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the certificates, with the signature(s) on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed in the manner described above.

The method of delivery of certificates representing common shares of New Valley and all other required documents, including delivery through DTC, is at your option and risk, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent and Depositary. If delivery is by mail, we recommend registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery.

Withdrawal Rights

You may withdraw common shares of New Valley that you tender pursuant to the offer at any time before the expiration of the offer. After the expiration of the offer, tenders are irrevocable. However, if we have not accepted tendered shares for exchange by Saturday, December 17, 2005, you may withdraw tendered shares at any time thereafter prior to their acceptance for exchange.

For your withdrawal to be effective, the Exchange Agent and Depositary must receive from you a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Prospectus, and your notice must include your name, address, social security number, the certificate number(s) and the number of common shares of New Valley to be withdrawn as well as the name of the registered holder, if it is different from that of the person who tendered those common shares of New Valley. If common shares of New Valley have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender discussed above under “— Procedure for Tendering Shares”, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn common shares of New Valley and must otherwise comply with DTC’s procedures. If certificates have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent and Depositary, the name of the registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular certificates evidencing the common shares of New Valley withdrawn must also be furnished to the Exchange Agent and Depositary, as stated above, prior to the physical release of the

certificates. We will decide all questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal, in our sole discretion, and our decision will be final and binding.

An eligible institution must guarantee all signatures on the notice of withdrawal unless the common shares of New Valley have been tendered for the account of an eligible institution.

None of Vector, VGR Holding, the Exchange Agent and Depositary, the Information Agent, the Dealer Manager, or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or will incur any liability for failure to give any notification. Any common shares of New Valley that you properly withdraw will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the offer. However, you may retender withdrawn common shares of New Valley by following one of the procedures discussed under “— Procedure for Tendering Shares” beginning on page 50 at any time before the expiration of the offer.

Effect of a Tender of Shares

By executing a Letter of Transmittal, you will agree and acknowledge that our acceptance for exchange of common shares of New Valley you tender in the offer will, without any further action, revoke any prior powers of attorney and proxies that you may have granted in respect of those shares and you will not grant any subsequent proxies and, if any are granted, they will not be deemed effective. We reserve the right to require that, in order for common shares of New Valley to be validly tendered, we must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights with respect to those common shares of New Valley immediately upon our acceptance of those common shares of New Valley for exchange.

We will determine questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of common shares of New Valley, in our sole discretion, and our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of common shares of New Valley that we determine are not in proper form or the acceptance of or exchange for which may, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. No tender of common shares of New Valley will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities in tenders of those shares have been cured or waived. None of Vector, VGR Holding, the Exchange Agent and Depositary, the Information Agent, the Dealer Manager, nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any common shares of New Valley or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of our offer, including the Letter of Transmittal and instructions, will be final and binding.

The tender of common shares of New Valley pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between you and us upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the offer.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following description summarizes the material United States federal income tax consequences for New Valley stockholders of the offer and the subsequent merger. It is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (which we refer to as the “Code”), regulations under the Code, and court and administrative rulings and decisions in effect on the date of this Prospectus, all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively. Any change could affect the continuing validity of the tax consequences described in this Prospectus. We have not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as to the tax consequences of the offer and the subsequent merger. This description is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions described below.

The description applies only to New Valley stockholders who are U.S. persons. For purposes of this description, the term “U.S. person” means:


	•	an individual who is a U.S. citizen or a U.S. resident alien;

	•	a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or any State;

	•	a trust where (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and (2) one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or

	•	an estate that is subject to U.S. tax on its worldwide income from all sources.

Our description is not a comprehensive description of all the tax consequences that may be relevant to you. It applies only to New Valley stockholders who hold their common shares of New Valley as a capital asset. No attempt has been made to address all United States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular New Valley stockholder in light of the stockholder’s individual circumstances or to New Valley stockholders who are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws, such as:


	•	banks, insurance companies and financial institutions;

	•	tax-exempt organizations;

	•	mutual funds;

	•	persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;

	•	investors in pass-through entities;

	•	traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting;

	•	dealers in securities or foreign currencies;

	•	New Valley stockholders who received their common shares of New Valley through the exercise of options, or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan or who are entitled to require New Valley to purchase their common shares of New Valley pursuant to an agreement with New Valley;

	•	holders of options granted by New Valley;

	•	New Valley stockholders who are not U.S. persons; and

	•	New Valley stockholders who hold common shares of New Valley as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction.

This description does not address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality or foreign jurisdiction, and it does not address any federal tax consequences other than federal income tax consequences. It does not address the tax consequences of any transaction other than the offer and the subsequent merger. Accordingly, each New Valley stockholder is strongly urged to consult with a tax advisor to determine the particular federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences of the offer and the subsequent merger to the stockholder.

We intend the exchange of common shares of New Valley for Vector common stock in the offer and the subsequent merger to constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Reorganization treatment depends on numerous factors, however, including factors beyond our control. Although Vector intends to use, in its judgment, reasonable efforts in seeking to cause the offer and the subsequent merger to constitute a reorganization, no assurance can be given that the offer and the subsequent merger will constitute a reorganization, and there is no condition to the offer relating to the

tax-free treatment of the offer and the subsequent merger. Assuming that the offer and the subsequent merger qualify as a reorganization, then, in general:


	•	New Valley stockholders will not recognize any gain or loss on the exchange of common shares of New Valley for Vector common stock in the offer and the subsequent merger, except with respect to cash, if any, they receive instead of fractional shares of Vector common stock;

	•	the aggregate tax basis to a New Valley stockholder of the Vector common stock received in exchange for common shares of New Valley pursuant to the offer or the subsequent merger will equal the New Valley stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the common shares of New Valley surrendered, decreased by the amount of any tax basis allocable to any fractional share interest in Vector common stock for which cash is received;

	•	the holding period of a New Valley stockholder for the Vector common stock received pursuant to the offer or the subsequent merger will include the holding period of the common shares of New Valley surrendered in exchange; and

	•	a New Valley stockholder who receives cash instead of a fractional share of Vector common stock pursuant to the offer or the subsequent merger will recognize gain or loss on the exchange in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the basis of the common shares of New Valley allocable to the fractional share. The gain or loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss. Capital gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the New Valley stockholder has held the New Valley common shares for more than one year. Non-corporate taxpayers are subject to a reduced tax rate (currently a maximum 15% rate) on their long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations for both individuals and corporations.

A New Valley stockholder who receives cash for all its common shares of New Valley pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the tax basis of the common shares of New Valley surrendered and the amount of cash received, except that any cash received that is or is deemed to be interest for federal income tax purposes will be taxed as ordinary income. A stockholder receiving cash pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights may be required to recognize gain or loss in the year the subsequent merger closes, irrespective of whether the stockholder actually receives payment for its common shares of New Valley in that year.

If the exchange of common shares of New Valley for Vector common stock in the offer and the subsequent merger does not qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, then a New Valley stockholder who receives shares of Vector common stock in exchange for the New Valley stockholder’s shares will generally recognize taxable gain or loss on the exchange. Such gain would generally equal the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Vector common stock received for a common share of New Valley over the New Valley stockholder’s tax basis in the common share of New Valley surrendered. New Valley stockholders who have a tax basis in a common share of New Valley that exceeds the fair market value of the Vector common stock received in exchange for such common share of New Valley should recognize a loss. The gain or loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss. Capital gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the New Valley stockholder has held the New Valley common shares for more than one year. Non-corporate taxpayers are subject to a reduced tax rate (currently a maximum 15% rate) on their long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations for both individuals and corporations. A former New Valley stockholder’s tax basis in Vector common stock received in a transaction that does not qualify as a reorganization will equal the fair market value of the Vector common stock as of the date of the exchange and the holder’s holding period for the Vector common stock will begin on the day after the date of the exchange.

Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of the offer and the subsequent merger to each New Valley stockholder will depend on the facts of that stockholder’s particular situation. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences of the offer and the

subsequent merger, including tax return reporting requirements, the applicability of federal, state, local and foreign tax laws and the effect of any proposed changes in the tax laws.

Purpose of the Offer; The Subsequent Merger

We are proposing to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of New Valley that we do not own. We currently own 12,849,118 common shares of New Valley which represent approximately 57.7% of the outstanding shares. We are offering to exchange 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock for each outstanding common share of New Valley which is validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal. We will not acquire any shares of New Valley in the offer unless New Valley stockholders (other than Vector and its subsidiaries) have tendered into this offer, and not withdrawn, as of the expiration of the offer, a number of common shares of New Valley such that, after giving effect to the offer, we own at least 90% of the total number of outstanding common shares of New Valley. If this minimum tender condition is satisfied, more than a majority of the minority stockholders (i.e., stockholders unaffiliated with Vector and its subsidiaries and stockholders who are not directors or officers of New Valley) will have also validly tendered and not properly withdrawn their common shares of New Valley in our offer. We will not waive this minimum tender condition. As of October 19, 2005, there were 22,260,607 common shares of New Valley outstanding. Accordingly, for us to acquire any common shares of New Valley, New Valley stockholders, other than Vector or its subsidiaries must, in order for us to satisfy the 90% minimum tender condition, have tendered into the offer, and not withdrawn, as of the expiration of the offer, at least 7,185,429 common shares of New Valley (based on the number of outstanding common shares of New Valley as of the date of this Prospectus). These share numbers would change as a result of changes in New Valley’s share capitalization, such as through the exercise of outstanding stock options. There are also other conditions to the offer that are described under “— Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58.

Upon successful completion of the offer, we would own more than 90% of the outstanding common shares of New Valley, and we would be permitted under Delaware law to effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley without the approval of New Valley’s board or remaining stockholders. In that case, we will effect a “short form” merger of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries with New Valley as soon as practicable after we complete the offer unless we are prevented from doing so by a court or other legal requirement. Each outstanding share which we do not own or acquire in the offer would be converted in the subsequent merger into the right to receive 0.461 of a share of Vector common stock and cash instead of fractional shares. Accordingly, if you do not tender your shares and we effect the “short form” merger, you will receive the same consideration per common share of New Valley you would have received if you had tendered your shares into the offer, unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law. See “— Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 56. After completion of the subsequent merger, New Valley will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector.

If we successfully complete the offer but are not able to complete promptly the “short form” merger, New Valley’s common shares not tendered into the offer would remain outstanding until we are able to effect such a merger, if ever. In these circumstances, the liquidity of and market for those remaining publicly held common shares of New Valley, and the rights of the holders of those shares, could be adversely affected. New Valley’s common shares are currently listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Depending upon the number of common shares of New Valley purchased in the offer, New Valley’s common shares may no longer meet the requirements for continued listing and may be delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market. It is possible that New Valley’s common shares would continue to trade in the over-the-counter market and that price quotations would be reported by other sources. The extent of the public market for New Valley’s common shares and the availability of these quotations would depend, however, upon the number of holders of New Valley’s common shares remaining at that time, the interests in maintaining a market in New Valley’s common shares on the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act, as described below, and other factors.

New Valley’s common shares are currently registered under the Exchange Act. This registration may be terminated upon application of New Valley to the SEC if the shares are no longer listed on a securities exchange and there are fewer than 300 holders of record of New Valley common shares. Based on information received by us from New Valley, there were approximately 10,400 holders of record of New Valley’s common shares as of October 5, 2005. The termination of the registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act would substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by New Valley to its stockholders and to the SEC. It would also make certain of the provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement in connection with stockholders’ meetings, the related requirement of an annual report to stockholders, and the requirements of SEC Rule 13e-3 with respect to going private transactions, no longer applicable.

Common shares of New Valley are currently “margin securities” under the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. This has the effect of allowing brokers to extend credit on common shares of New Valley as collateral. Depending on factors similar to those described above regarding listing and market quotations, it is possible that New Valley’s common shares would no longer constitute “margin securities” for purposes of the Federal Reserve Board’s margin regulations. If registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act is terminated, common shares of New Valley would no longer be “margin securities”.

Appraisal Rights

Under Delaware law, New Valley stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the offer. If the offer is successfully completed, holders of New Valley common shares who (1) do not tender their shares into the offer and hold common shares at the effective time of the subsequent “short form” merger, (2) do not wish to accept the consideration provided for in that merger and (3) comply with the procedures provided for in Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, will be entitled to have their common shares of New Valley appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery and to receive a payment in cash of the “fair value” of those shares as determined by the Court. The following summarizes provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL regarding appraisal rights that would be applicable in connection with the subsequent merger, which will be effected as a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector with New Valley. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 262 of the DGCL. A copy of Section 262 is attached to this Prospectus as Annex C. If you fail to take any action required by Delaware law, your rights to an appraisal in connection with the subsequent merger will be waived or terminated.


	*Notification of Merger’s Effective Time:*

Within ten days after the effective time of the subsequent merger, New Valley will send notice of the effective time of such merger and the availability of appraisal rights to each holder of its common shares.


	*Electing Appraisal Rights:*

To exercise appraisal rights, the record holder of New Valley’s common shares must, within 20 days after the date New Valley mails the notice referred to in the prior paragraph, deliver a written demand for appraisal to New Valley. This demand must reasonably inform New Valley of the identity of the holder of record and that the stockholder demands appraisal of his, her or its common shares of New Valley.

A demand for appraisal must be delivered to: Corporate Secretary, New Valley Corporation, 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida 33131.


	*Only Record Holders May Demand Appraisal Rights:*

Only a record holder of New Valley’s common shares is entitled to demand appraisal rights. The demand must be executed by or for the record holder, fully and correctly, as the holder’s name appears on the holder’s stock certificates.


	•	If common shares of New Valley are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be executed in that capacity.

	•	If common shares of New Valley are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or for all owners.

	•	An authorized agent, including one of two or more joint owners, may execute the demand for appraisal for a holder of record. The agent must identify the owner or owners of record and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as agent for the owner or owners of record.

	•	A holder of record, such as a broker, who holds New Valley’s common shares as nominee for a beneficial owner, may exercise a holder’s right of appraisal with respect to New Valley’s common shares held for all or less than all of those beneficial owners’ interest. In that case, the written demand should set forth the number of common shares of New Valley covered by the demand. If no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover all of New Valley’s common shares standing in the name of the record holder. New Valley stockholders who hold their shares in brokerage accounts or through any other nominee and wish to exercise appraisal rights should consult their brokers or other nominees to determine the procedures they must follow in order for their brokers and other nominees to exercise appraisal rights in respect of their common shares of New Valley.


	*Court Petition Must Be Filed:*

Within 120 days after the effective time of the subsequent merger, New Valley or any stockholder who has satisfied the foregoing conditions may file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of New Valley’s common shares. Neither Vector nor New Valley will have any obligation to file such a petition. Stockholders seeking to exercise appraisal rights should initiate all necessary action to perfect their rights within the time periods prescribed by Delaware law.

Within 120 days after the effective time of the subsequent merger, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements under Section 262 of the DGCL for exercise of appraisal rights may make a written request to receive from New Valley a statement of the total number of common shares of New Valley with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the total number of holders of these shares. New Valley will be required to mail these statements within ten days after it receives a written request.


	*Appraisal Proceeding by Delaware Court:*

If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed, after a hearing on the petition, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine which of the stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights. The Court will appraise the common shares owned by the stockholders and determine their fair value. In determining fair value, the Court may consider a number of factors including market values of New Valley’s stock, asset values and other generally accepted valuation considerations, but will exclude any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the subsequent merger. The Court will also determine the amount of interest, if any, to be paid upon the value of the common shares to the stockholders entitled to appraisal.

The value determined by the Court for New Valley’s common shares could be more than, less than, or the same as the subsequent merger consideration, but the form of the consideration payable as a result of the appraisal proceeding would be cash. The Court may determine the costs of the appraisal proceeding and allocate them to the parties as the Court determines to be equitable under the circumstances. The Court may also order that all or a portion of any stockholder’s expenses incurred in connection with an appraisal proceeding, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and reasonable fees and expenses of experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, be charged, on a pro rata basis, against the value of all of New Valley’s common shares entitled to appraisal.


	*Effect of Appraisal Demand on Voting and Right to Dividends; Tax Consequences:*

Any stockholder who has duly demanded an appraisal in compliance with Delaware law will not, after the effective time of the subsequent merger, be entitled to vote the shares subject to the demand for any purpose. The shares subject to the demand will not be entitled to dividends or other distributions, other than those payable or deemed to be payable to stockholders of record as of a date prior to the effective time of the subsequent merger. We describe above under “— Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences”, beginning on page 52, the tax consequences to a New Valley stockholder who receives cash for his or her common shares of New Valley pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights.


	*Loss, Waiver or Withdrawal of Appraisal Rights:*

Holders of New Valley’s common shares will lose the right to appraisal if no petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the effective time of the subsequent merger. A stockholder will also lose the right to an appraisal by delivering to New Valley a written withdrawal of the stockholder’s demand for an appraisal. Any attempt to withdraw that is made more than 60 days after the effective time of the subsequent merger requires New Valley’s written approval. If appraisal rights are not perfected or a demand for appraisal rights is timely withdrawn, a stockholder will be entitled to receive the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to the subsequent merger, without interest. The number of shares of Vector common stock, and cash instead of a fraction of a share of Vector common stock, delivered to such stockholder will be based on the same exchange ratio utilized in the subsequent merger, regardless of the market price of shares of Vector’s common stock at the time of delivery.


	*Dismissal of Appraisal Proceeding:*

If an appraisal proceeding is timely instituted, this proceeding may not be dismissed as to any stockholder who has perfected a right of appraisal without the approval of the Court.

Conditions of the Offer

The offer is subject to a number of conditions, which we describe below. Notwithstanding any other provision of the offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange or exchange any shares, may postpone the acceptance for exchange or exchange of tendered shares, and may, in our sole discretion, terminate or amend the offer as to any shares not then exchanged if any of these conditions are not satisfied or, where permissible, waived before or as of the expiration of the offer. If any of these conditions is not satisfied or, where permissible, waived before or as of the scheduled expiration of the offer, we may choose to extend the expiration of the offer or terminate the offer.


	*Minimum Condition:*

There must be validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer a number of common shares of New Valley such that, after giving effect to the offer, we own at least 90% of the total number of outstanding common shares of New Valley. If this minimum tender condition is satisfied, more than a majority of the minority stockholders (i.e., stockholders unaffiliated with Vector and its subsidiaries and stockholders who are not directors or officers of New Valley) will have also validly tendered and not properly withdrawn their common shares of New Valley in our offer. We will not waive this minimum tender condition. As of October 19, 2005, there were 22,260,607 common shares of New Valley outstanding. Accordingly, for us to acquire any common shares of New Valley, stockholders of New Valley must have tendered into the offer, and not have withdrawn, as of the expiration of the offer, at least 7,185,429 common shares of New Valley (based on the number of outstanding common shares of New Valley as of the date of this Prospectus). These share numbers would change as a result of changes in New Valley’s share capitalization, such as through exercise of outstanding options.


	*Registration Statement Effectiveness Condition:*

The Registration Statement on Form S-4 of which this Prospectus is a part must have become effective under the Securities Act and not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order.


	*Vector Stockholder Approval:*

In accordance with listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, the issuance of Vector common stock in the offer and the subsequent merger must have been approved by Vector stockholders entitled to vote thereon at a special meeting of such stockholders currently scheduled for November 29, 2005, or any adjournments thereof. Pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange listing requirements, an affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast (provided that the total vote cast for the proposed issuance represents over 50% in interest of all of the shares of Vector common stock entitled to vote thereon) regarding the proposed issuance is required for approval of the proposed issuance of Vector common stock pursuant to the offer and subsequent merger. The directors and officers of Vector, who in the aggregate represent 29.3% of the outstanding Vector common stock, have already indicated their intention to vote in favor of this issuance.


	*Listing Condition:*

The Vector common stock issuable in the offer and the subsequent merger must have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.


	*Additional Conditions:*

In addition, we will not be required to accept shares of New Valley for exchange or exchange any shares, may postpone the acceptance for exchange or exchange of any shares and may choose to extend the expiration of the offer or to terminate the offer if any of the following occurs and is continuing and in our good faith judgment, regardless of the circumstances, it would be inadvisable for us to proceed with the offer or to accept New Valley shares for exchange, or to exchange shares:


	•	there shall be threatened, instituted or pending any action, proceeding or application by or before any court, government or governmental authority or other regulatory or administrative agency or commission, domestic or foreign (other than the New Valley stockholder litigations described under “Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals — Stockholder Litigation” beginning on page 63),


	•	which challenges the acquisition by us of the common shares of New Valley, seeks to restrain, delay or prohibit the consummation of the offer or the transactions contemplated by the offer or any subsequent merger or seeks to obtain any material damages or otherwise directly or indirectly relates to the transactions contemplated by the offer or subsequent merger,

	•	which seeks to prohibit or impose material limitations on our acquisition, ownership or operation of all or any portion of our or New Valley’s business or assets (including the business or assets of their respective affiliates and subsidiaries) or of the common shares of New Valley (including, without limitation, the right to vote the shares purchased by us, on an equal basis with all other shares, on all matters presented to the stockholders of New Valley), or seeks to compel us to dispose of or hold separate all or any portion of our or New Valley’s business or assets (including the business or assets of their respective affiliates and subsidiaries) as a result of the transactions contemplated by the offer or any subsequent merger,

	•	which may reasonably be expected to adversely affect New Valley or us, or any of our respective affiliates or subsidiaries (which we refer to as an “Adverse Effect”), or result in a diminution in the value of the common shares of New Valley or common stock of Vector or


		the benefits expected to be derived by us as a result of the transactions contemplated by the offer or any subsequent merger (which we refer to as a “Diminution in Value”), or

	•	which seeks to impose any condition to the offer unacceptable to us; or


	•	there shall have occurred any development in the New Valley stockholder litigations, described under “Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals — Stockholder Litigation” beginning on page 63, that is adverse to the defendants in those litigations; or we are not satisfied with the status of such litigations against us which are pending, including any appeals; or

	•	any statute, including without limitation, any state anti-takeover statute, rule, regulation or order or injunction shall be sought, proposed, enacted, promulgated, entered, enforced or deemed or become applicable or asserted to be applicable to the offer or any subsequent merger or the transactions contemplated by the offer or subsequent merger that may, directly or indirectly, reasonably be expected to result in any of the consequences referred to in the 1st through 4th sub-bullets of the initial bullet paragraph under “Additional Conditions” immediately above, including any determination or assertion by any governmental authority that a filing under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or the HSR Act, is required; or

	•	any change (or any condition, event or development involving a prospective change) shall have occurred or be threatened that has had or may reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, capitalization, stockholders’ equity, financial condition, operations, results of operations or prospects of New Valley or any of its subsidiaries, or Vector or we shall have become aware of any fact that has had or may reasonably be expected to have an Adverse Effect or results or may reasonably be expected to result in a Diminution in Value; or

	•	there shall have occurred:


	•	any general suspension of, or limitation on times or prices for, trading in securities (including, but not limited to, New Valley’s common shares or Vector’s common stock) on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market,

	•	a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States,

	•	the outbreak or escalation of a war, terrorist activities, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States,

	•	any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any governmental authority on, or any other event which might affect the extension of, credit by banks or other lending institutions,

	•	a suspension of or limitation (whether or not mandatory) on the currency exchange markets or the imposition of, or material changes in, any currency or exchange control laws in the United States, or

	•	in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the commencement of the offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; or


	•	New Valley or any subsidiary of New Valley shall have:


	•	issued, distributed, pledged, sold or authorized, or proposed the issuance of or sale, distribution or pledge to any person of (1) any shares of its capital stock (other than sales or issuances pursuant to employee stock options outstanding on June 30, 2005 in accordance with the then-existing terms thereof) of any class (including, without limitation, the common shares of New Valley) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares of capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or convertible securities or any other securities of New Valley, (2) any other securities in respect of, instead of or in substitution for shares outstanding on October 20, 2005, or (3) any debt securities or any securities convertible


		into or exchangeable for debt securities or any rights, warrants or options entitling the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire any debt securities,

	•	purchased or otherwise acquired, or proposed or offered to purchase or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of its capital stock or other securities, except in accordance with the terms of contractual arrangements in effect on October 20, 2005 and disclosed in New Valley’s filings with the SEC prior to that date,

	•	proposed, recommended, authorized, declared, issued or paid any dividend or distribution on any shares of its capital stock or any other security, whether payable in cash, securities or other property,

	•	altered or proposed to alter any material term of any outstanding security,

	•	incurred, agreed to incur or announced its intention to incur any additional debt, except any borrowings under existing credit agreements, as in effect on June 30, 2005, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,

	•	authorized, recommended, proposed or publicly announced its intent to enter into any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, business combination, recapitalization, acquisition or disposition of securities, any acquisition or sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), any material change in its capitalization or business operations, any release or relinquishment of any material contractual or other rights or any comparable event, or taken any action to implement any such transaction previously authorized, recommended, proposed or publicly announced, or

	•	entered into any other agreement or otherwise effected any other arrangement with any other party or with its officers or other employees of New Valley that might, individually or in the aggregate, have an Adverse Effect or result in a Diminution in Value; or


	•	New Valley or any of its subsidiaries shall have amended or proposed or authorized any amendment to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or similar organizational documents or we shall have learned that New Valley or any of its subsidiaries shall have proposed, adopted or recommended any such amendment which has not previously been publicly disclosed by New Valley and also set forth in filings with the SEC; or

	•	a tender or exchange offer for some or all of the common shares of New Valley shall have been commenced or publicly proposed to be made by another person (including New Valley or its subsidiaries), or it shall have been publicly disclosed or we shall have learned that:


	•	any person (including New Valley or its subsidiaries), entity or “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired or proposed to acquire more than five percent of the common shares of New Valley, or shall have been granted any option or right, conditional or otherwise, to acquire more than five percent of the common shares of New Valley, other than acquisitions for bona fide arbitrage purposes and other than acquisitions by persons or groups who have publicly disclosed in a Schedule 13D or 13G (or amendments thereto on file with the SEC) such ownership on or prior to October 20, 2005,

	•	any such person, entity or group who has publicly disclosed any such ownership of more than five percent of the common shares of New Valley prior to such date shall have acquired or proposed to acquire additional New Valley shares constituting more than one percent of the total shares outstanding, or shall have been granted any option or right to acquire more than one percent of the New Valley shares,

	•	any new group was, or is, formed which beneficially owns more than five percent of the outstanding common shares of New Valley,

	•	any person, entity or group shall have entered into a definitive agreement or an agreement in principle or made a proposal with respect to a tender offer or exchange offer for some portion


		or all of the common shares of New Valley or a merger, consolidation or other business combination or recapitalization or sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) with or involving New Valley or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or

	•	any person shall have filed a Notification and Report Form under the HSR Act or made a public announcement reflecting an intent to acquire New Valley or assets or securities of New Valley; or


	•	New Valley and we shall have reached an agreement or understanding that the offer be terminated or amended or we (or one of our affiliates) shall have entered into a definitive agreement or an agreement in principle to acquire New Valley by merger or similar business combination, or purchase of shares or assets of New Valley; or

	•	any change (or any condition, event or development involving a prospective change) shall have occurred or be threatened in the general economic, financial, currency exchange or market conditions in the United States or abroad that has had or may reasonably be expected to have an Adverse Effect or results or may reasonably be expected to result in a Diminution in Value; or

	•	New Valley or any of its subsidiaries shall have transferred into trust, escrow or similar arrangement any amounts required to fund any existing benefit, employment or severance agreements with any of its officers or other employees or shall have entered into or otherwise effected with its officers or any other employees any additional benefit, employment, severance or similar agreements, arrangements or plans or entered into or amended any agreements, arrangements or plans so as to provide for increased benefits to such officer or officers or employee or employees as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by the offer or the subsequent merger.

The foregoing conditions are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us regardless of the circumstances (including any action or inaction on our part) giving rise to any such conditions or may be waived by us in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in our sole discretion prior to the expiration of the offer. The determination as to whether any condition has occurred will be in our judgment and will be final and binding on all parties. Any failure by us at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.

CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS AND REGULATORY APPROVALS

U.S. Approvals

Except as we have described in this Prospectus, we are not aware of any license or regulatory permit required in the U.S. and material to the business of New Valley and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, that may be materially adversely affected by our acquisition of New Valley’s common shares, or any filing or approval required in the U.S. that would be required for our acquisition of New Valley’s common shares. We intend to make all required filings under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

Non-U.S. Approvals

We are unaware of any requirement for the filing of information with, or the obtaining of the approval of, governmental authorities in any non-U.S. jurisdiction that is applicable to the offer or the subsequent merger.

State Takeover Laws

A number of states have adopted takeover laws and regulations which purport, to varying degrees, to be applicable to attempts to acquire securities of corporations which have substantial assets, stockholders,

principal executive offices or principal places of business in those states. We have not attempted to comply with any state takeover statutes in connection with the offer, since we do not believe that any of these apply. However, we reserve the right to challenge the validity or applicability of any state law allegedly applicable to the offer, and nothing in this Prospectus nor any action taken in connection herewith is intended as a waiver of that right. If one or more takeover statutes apply to the offer and are not found to be invalid, we may be required to file documents with, or receive approvals from, relevant state authorities and we may also be unable to accept for exchange shares tendered into the offer or may delay the offer. See “The Offer — Conditions of the Offer” beginning on page 58.

Stockholder Litigation

On or about September 29, 2005, an individual stockholder of New Valley filed a complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery purporting to commence a class action lawsuit against Vector, New Valley and each of the individual directors of New Valley. The complaint was styled as Pill v. New Valley Corporation, et al., (C.A. No. 1678-N). On or about September 29, 2005, a separate action was filed in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida styled as Tombs v. New Valley Corporation, et al. (Case No. 05-19623 CA 22). In general, the complaints allege, among other things: (1) breaches of fiduciary duty by Vector, New Valley and the members of New Valley’s board in connection with the offer and the subsequent merger; (2) that the consideration Vector is offering is inadequate; and (3) that Vector is acting to further its own interests at the expense of the holders of New Valley’s common shares. Among other remedies, the complaints seek to enjoin the offer and subsequent merger or, alternatively, damages in an unspecified amount and rescission in the event the subsequent merger occurs.

Vector believes that each of these lawsuits is without merit and will defend against each lawsuit.

CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER

Effects on the Market

If we successfully complete the offer, we intend to cause the delisting of New Valley’s common shares from The Nasdaq Stock Market following completion of the subsequent merger.

Exchange Act Registration

If we are able to delist New Valley’s common shares from The Nasdaq Stock Market, we then plan to terminate registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act upon application to the SEC. In general, we can terminate registration if the common shares of New Valley are no longer listed on a securities exchange and there are fewer than 300 holders of record of New Valley common shares. The termination of the registration of New Valley’s common shares under the Exchange Act would substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by New Valley to its stockholders and to the SEC. It would also make certain of the provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement in connection with stockholders’ meetings, the related requirement of an annual report to stockholders, and the requirements of SEC Rule 13e-3 with respect to going private transactions, no longer applicable.

If we successfully complete the offer, following completion of the subsequent merger, we will request that The Nasdaq Stock Market file a Form 25 with the SEC terminating registration of the common shares of New Valley under the Exchange Act.

Financing of the Offer

The shares of Vector common stock to be issued in the offer and the subsequent merger will come from Vector’s authorized but unissued shares. Vector’s fees and expenses in connection with the offer will be paid from Vector’s available capital resources.

Conduct of New Valley if the Offer is Not Completed

If the offer is not completed because the minimum condition or another condition is not satisfied or, if permissible, waived, we expect that New Valley will continue to be a majority-owned subsidiary of Vector and operate its business as presently operated, subject to market and industry conditions and the terms of the agreements and other documents described below under “— Relationships With New Valley”. We have no intention to dispose of or entertain offers to acquire our common shares of New Valley.

Relationships with New Valley

In considering whether to tender your shares in the offer, you should be aware of various existing agreements and ongoing and prior arrangements and transactions between Vector and/or VGR Holding and New Valley, as described below. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the specific provisions of the documents described below that have been filed with the SEC, which we incorporate by reference into this Prospectus. You should also review “Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and Subsequent Merger” beginning on page 67 for a description of arrangements between Vector and New Valley and between New Valley and directors and executive officers of New Valley.


	*Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.:*

In December 2001, New Valley distributed its 53.6% interest (22,543,158 shares) in Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., or LTS, common stock to holders of New Valley common shares through a special dividend. New Valley’s stockholders received 0.988 of a LTS share for each share of New Valley. On the same date, Vector distributed the 12,694,929 shares of LTS common stock that it received from New Valley to the holders of Vector’s common stock as a special dividend. New Valley had acquired the LTS shares in May 2001, along with cash and an $8,010,000 7.5% convertible promissory note due December 31, 2005 of LTS, in connection with LTS’ acquisition of New Valley’s 80.1%-owned subsidiary, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. As a result of the distributions of the LTS shares, Mr. Bennett S. LeBow became the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the LTS common stock. Since May 2001, Mr. LeBow (until September 2003), Mr. Lorber, Mr. Beinstein and Mr. Robert J. Eide, a director of Vector, have served as directors of LTS, Mr. Richard J. Lampen has served in that capacity since January 2002, and Mr. Jeffrey S. Podell, a director of Vector, has served in that capacity since October 2004. Mr. Victor M. Rivas, a director of New Valley, served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of LTS from May 2001 until his retirement in March 2004, and Mr. J. Bryant Kirkland III, Vector’s Vice President and New Valley’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, served as Chief Financial Officer of LTS from June 2001 until October 2002. In 2002, LTS accrued compensation of $100,000 for Mr. Kirkland in connection with his services, which was paid in four quarterly installments commencing April 1, 2003.

In November 2004, New Valley entered into a debt conversion agreement with LTS and the other remaining holder of LTS’ convertible notes. New Valley and the other holder agreed to convert their notes, with an aggregate principal amount of $18,010,000, together with the accrued interest, into common stock of LTS. Pursuant to the debt conversion agreement, the conversion price of the notes held by New Valley was reduced from the previous conversion price of approximately $2.08 to $0.50 per share, and New Valley and the other holder each agreed to purchase $5,000,000 of LTS common stock at $0.45 per share.

The note conversion transaction was approved by the LTS shareholders in January 2005 and closed in March 2005. At the closing, New Valley’s note, representing approximately $9,938,000 of principal and accrued interest, was converted into 19,876,358 shares of LTS common stock and New Valley purchased 11,111,111 LTS shares.

LTS borrowed $1,750,000 from New Valley in 2004 and an additional $1,750,000 in the first quarter 2005. The loans, which bore interest at 2% above prime, were due on the earlier of January 15, 2006 or the tenth business day following the completion of one or more debt or equity financings where LTS receives at least $10,000,000 in total proceeds. At the closing of the note conversion agreement, New Valley delivered these notes for cancellation as partial payment for its purchase of LTS common stock.

On March 30, 2005, New Valley distributed the 19,876,358 shares of LTS common stock it acquired from the conversion of the notes to holders of New Valley common shares through a special dividend. On the same date, Vector distributed the 10,947,448 shares of LTS common stock that it received from New Valley to the holders of its common shares as a special distribution. New Valley’s stockholders of record as of March 18, 2005 received 0.852 of a LTS share for each share of New Valley, and Vector’s stockholders of record on that date received 0.23 of a LTS share for each share of Vector.

In March 2002, LTS borrowed $2,500,000 from New Valley. The loan, which bears interest at 1% above the prime rate, was due on December 31, 2003. In July 2002, LTS borrowed an additional $2,500,000 from New Valley on the same terms. In November 2002, New Valley agreed, in connection with a $3,500,000 loan to LTS by an affiliate of its clearing broker, to extend the maturity of the notes to December 31, 2006 and to subordinate the notes to the repayment of the loan.

New Valley evaluated its ability to collect the $13,198,000 of notes receivable and related interest from LTS at September 30, 2002. These notes receivable included the $5,000,000 of notes issued in 2002 and the $8,010,000 convertible note issued to New Valley in May 2001. New Valley determined, based on the then current trends in the broker-dealer industry and LTS’ operating results and liquidity needs, that a reserve for uncollectibility should be established against these notes and interest receivable. As a result, New Valley recorded a charge of $13,198,000 in the third quarter of 2002.

Following the March 2005 distribution, New Valley held the 11,111,111 shares of LTS common stock (approximately 9.0% of the outstanding shares), the $5,000,000 of notes due December 31, 2006 and a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of its common stock at $1.00 per share.


	*Expense Sharing Agreement:*

In 1995, New Valley and Vector entered into an expense sharing agreement pursuant to which certain lease, legal support and administrative expenses are allocated to the entity incurring the expense. New Valley reimbursed Vector net amounts of approximately $562,000 in 2004 under this agreement. This arrangement with Vector has continued in 2005.


	*Lawsuits:*

In March 1997, a stockholder derivative suit was filed in the Delaware Chancery Court against New Valley, as a nominal defendant, its directors and Brooke Group Holding Inc. (“Brooke Group Holding”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector, by a stockholder of New Valley. The suit alleges that New Valley’s purchase in January 1997 of the shares of BrookeMil Ltd., which was engaged in the real estate business in Russia, from Brooke (Overseas) Ltd., an indirect subsidiary of Brooke Group Holding, constituted a self-dealing transaction which involved the payment of excessive consideration by New Valley. The plaintiff sought a declaration that New Valley’s directors breached their fiduciary duties and Brooke Group Holding aided and abetted such breaches and that damages be awarded to New Valley. In December 1999, another stockholder of New Valley commenced an action in Delaware Chancery Court substantially similar to the March 1997 action. This stockholder alleged, among other things, that the consideration paid by New Valley for the BrookeMil shares was excessive, unfair and wasteful, that the special committee of New Valley’s board lacked independence, and that the appraisal and fairness opinion were flawed. By order of the Court, both actions were consolidated. In January 2001, the Court denied a motion to dismiss the consolidated action. In March 2005, New Valley, its directors and Brooke Group Holding settled the consolidated action. The defendants did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. At a hearing held on June 14, 2005, the court approved the settlement. No appeal was taken and, therefore, the settlement is final. Under the settlement, Vector paid New Valley $7,000,000 in July 2005, and New Valley paid legal fees and expenses of $2,150,000. New Valley recorded the receipt of $7,000,000 as additional paid-in-capital in the third quarter of 2005. New Valley accrued the legal fees and expenses of $2,150,000 during the year ended December 31, 2004 and charged the amount to general and administrative expenses.

In July 1999, a purported class action was commenced on behalf of New Valley’s former Class B preferred shareholders against New Valley, Brooke Group Holding and certain directors and officers of New Valley in Delaware Chancery Court. The complaint alleged that the recapitalization, approved by a majority of each class of New Valley’s stockholders in May 1999, was fundamentally unfair to the Class B preferred shareholders, the proxy statement relating to the recapitalization was materially deficient and the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Class B preferred shareholders in approving the transaction. The Court dismissed six of plaintiff’s nine claims alleging inadequate disclosure in the proxy statement. Brooke Group Holding and New Valley filed a motion for summary judgment on the remaining three claims, which was granted by the Court in May 2005. The plaintiffs did not appeal the decision.

Accounting Treatment

Our acquisition of New Valley’s common shares will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. Accordingly, the cost to acquire New Valley’s common shares in excess of approximately 57.7% of the carrying value of New Valley’s assets and liabilities will be allocated on a pro rata basis to New Valley’s assets and liabilities based on their fair values, with any excess being allocated to goodwill.

Fees and Expenses

Financial Advisor: Jefferies is acting as our financial advisor in connection with the proposed acquisition of New Valley’s common shares. Jefferies may also contact holders of New Valley common shares by mail, telephone, telex, telegraph and personal interview with respect to the offer and subsequent merger. We will pay Jefferies a customary fee for these services. We also have agreed to reimburse Jefferies for its expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses, and to indemnify it against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws.

Information Agent and Dealer Manager: We have retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. as Information Agent and Georgeson Shareholder Securities Corporation as Dealer Manager in connection with the offer. The Information Agent and Dealer Manager may contact holders of New Valley common shares by mail, telephone, telex, telegraph and personal interview and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee stockholders to forward material relating to the offer to beneficial owners of New Valley common shares. We will pay the Information Agent and Dealer Manager a customary fee for these services in addition to reimbursing the Information Agent and Dealer Manager for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We have agreed to indemnify the Information Agent and Dealer Manager against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the offer, including certain liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws.

Exchange Agent and Depositary: In addition, we have retained American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as the Exchange Agent and Depositary with respect to the offer. We will pay the Exchange Agent and Depositary a customary fee for its services in connection with the offer, will reimburse the Exchange Agent and Depositary for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify the Exchange Agent and Depositary against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the performance of its services.

Soliciting Dealer Fees: Vector will pay a fee to soliciting dealers of an amount equal to $0.10 for each validly tendered and accepted common shares of New Valley in the offer from beneficial owners of New Valley common shares, subject to a maximum amount per holder or account of $5,000.00. Any fees payable pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid in full to a person designated, as described herein, as “soliciting dealer”, if any. Reference to a “soliciting dealer” shall not include the Dealer Manager.

A designated soliciting dealer is an entity obtaining the tender, if the applicable Letter of Transmittal or agent’s message includes its name under the heading “Solicited Tenders” box, and it is:


	•	a broker or dealer in securities, including the Dealer Manager in its capacity as a dealer or broker, which is a good standing member of any national securities exchange or of the NASD;


	•	a foreign broker or dealer not eligible for membership in the NASD that agrees to conform to the NASD’s Rules of Fair Practice in soliciting tenders outside the United States to the same extent as though it were an NASD member; or

	•	a bank or trust company.

Soliciting dealers will include any of the organizations described above even when the activities of such organization in connection with the offer consist solely of forwarding to clients materials relating to the offer, including the applicable Letter of Transmittal, and tendering common shares of New Valley as directed by beneficial owners thereof. No soliciting dealer is required to make any recommendation to holders of common shares of New Valley as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering in the offer. No assumption is made, in making payment to any soliciting dealer, that its activities in connection with the offer included any activities other than those described in this paragraph. For all purposes noted in all materials relating to the offer, the term “solicit” shall be deemed to mean no more than “processing securities tendered” or “forwarding to customers materials regarding the offer”. No such soliciting dealer fee shall be payable to a soliciting dealer with respect to the tender of common shares of New Valley by a holder unless the Letter of Transmittal or agent’s message accompanying such tender designates such soliciting dealer.

No such fee shall be paid to a soliciting dealer with respect to common shares of New Valley tendered for such soliciting dealer’s own account. If tendered common shares of New Valley are registered in the name of such soliciting dealer, no such fee shall be payable unless such common shares of New Valley are held by such soliciting dealer as nominee and such common shares of New Valley are being tendered for the benefit of one or more beneficial owners identified on the applicable Letter of Transmittal. You should complete the “Solicited Tenders” box in the applicable Letter of Transmittal or agent’s message to designate a soliciting dealer. No such fee shall be payable to a soliciting dealer if such soliciting dealer is required for any reason to transfer the amount of such fee to a beneficial owner. No broker, dealer, bank, trust company or fiduciary shall be deemed to be the agent of Vector, the Exchange Agent and Depositary, the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager for purposes of the offer. By accepting any soliciting dealer fee, a person shall be deemed to have represented that:


	•	it has complied with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the laws of any states or jurisdictions in which it solicits exchange of common shares of New Valley pursuant to the offer, including the prohibition against paying directly or indirectly any fee (or any portion thereof) receivable hereunder to or for the account of any beneficial owner of common shares of New Valley;

	•	it is entitled to such compensation for such solicitation under the terms and conditions of the offer;

	•	in soliciting tenders of common shares of New Valley, it has used no soliciting materials other than those furnished by Vector; and

	•	if it is a foreign broker or dealer not eligible for membership in the NASD, it has agreed to conform to the NASD’s Rules of Fair Practice in making solicitations.

Other: We will reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies and other nominees, upon request, for customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred by them in forwarding offering materials to their customers.

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE OFFER AND SUBSEQUENT MERGER

Some members of the management of New Valley and some members of the New Valley board of directors, including those who are also officers of New Valley, have interests in the proposed transaction that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of the other stockholders of New Valley generally. The information set forth herein is based on the publicly-filed documents of New Valley that were available immediately preceding the date of this Prospectus.

Directors and Executive Officers of New Valley

Mr. LeBow has been Chairman of the Board of New Valley since January 1988 and Chief Executive Officer thereof since November 1994. Mr. LeBow has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Vector since June 1990 and a director of Vector since October 1986, and currently holds various positions with Vector’s subsidiaries, which are engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes. On September 27, 2005, Vector announced that Mr. LeBow had been named Executive Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2006.

Mr. Lorber has been President and Chief Operating Officer of New Valley since November 1994, and a director of New Valley since January 1991. Since January 2001, Mr. Lorber has served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Vector. On September 27, 2005, Vector announced that Mr. Lorber was named Chief Executive Officer of Vector effective January 1, 2006 (he will continue to serve as President and as a director).

Mr. Lampen has been Executive Vice President and General Counsel of New Valley since October 1995 and has served as a director of New Valley since July 1996. Since July 1996, Mr. Lampen has served as Executive Vice President of Vector.

Mr. Beinstein has been a director of New Valley since November 1994. Mr. Beinstein has been a director of Vector since March 2004.

Mr. Kirkland has been Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of New Valley since January 1998. Mr. Kirkland has served as a Vice President of Vector since January 2001.

Marc N. Bell has been, since November 1994, Associate General Counsel and Secretary of New Valley and, since February 1998, Vice President of New Valley. Mr. Bell has served as a Vice President of Vector since January 1998 and General Counsel of Vector since 1994.

Employment Agreements


	*Agreements with New Valley:*

Mr. LeBow is a party to an employment agreement with New Valley dated as of June 1, 1995, as amended effective as of January 1, 1996. The agreement had an initial term of three years effective as of January 18, 1995, with an automatic one-year extension on each anniversary of the effective date unless notice of non-extension is given by either party within the 60-day period before this date. As of January 1, 2005, Mr. LeBow’s annual base salary was $2,000,000. Following termination of his employment without cause, he would continue to receive his base salary for a period of 36 months commencing with the next anniversary of the effective date following the termination notice. Following termination of his employment within two years of a change-of-control, he would receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary.

Mr. Lorber is a party to an employment agreement with New Valley dated June 1, 1995, as amended effective as of January 1, 1996. The agreement had an initial term of three years effective as of January 18, 1995, with an automatic one-year extension on each anniversary of the effective date unless notice of non-extension is given by either party within 60 days before this date. As of January 1, 2005, Mr. Lorber’s annual base salary was $1,953,177. Mr. Lorber’s salary is subject to an annual cost of living adjustment. In addition, New Valley’s board must periodically review this base salary and may increase but not decrease it from time to time in its sole discretion. New Valley’s board may also award an annual bonus to Mr. Lorber in its sole discretion. New Valley’s board awarded Mr. Lorber a bonus of $1,500,000 for 2004. Following termination of his employment without cause, he would continue to receive his base salary for a period of 36 months commencing with the next anniversary of the effective date following the termination notice. Following termination of his employment within two years of a change-of-control, he would receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of his then current base salary and the bonus amounts earned by him for the twelve-month period ending with the last day of the month immediately before the month in which the termination occurs.

Mr. Lampen is a party to an employment agreement with New Valley dated September 22, 1995. The agreement had an initial term of two and a quarter years from October 1, 1995 with automatic renewals after the initial term for additional one-year terms unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party within the 90-day period before the termination date. As of January 1, 2005, his annual base salary was $750,000. In addition, New Valley’s board may award an annual bonus to Mr. Lampen in its sole discretion. New Valley’s board awarded Mr. Lampen a bonus of $100,000 for 2004. New Valley’s board may increase but not decrease Mr. Lampen’s base salary from time to time in its sole discretion. Following termination of his employment without cause, he would receive severance pay in a lump sum equal to the amount of his base salary he would have received if he was employed for one year after termination of his employment term.

Mr. Kirkland is a party to an employment agreement with New Valley dated August 1, 1999. The agreement had an initial term of one year from August 1, 1999 with automatic renewals after the initial term for additional one-year terms unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party within the 90-day period prior to the termination date. As of January 1, 2005, his annual base salary was $250,000. In addition, New Valley’s board may award an annual bonus to Mr. Kirkland in its sole discretion. New Valley’s board awarded Mr. Kirkland a bonus of $50,000 for 2004. New Valley’s board may increase but not decrease Mr. Kirkland’s base salary from time to time in its sole discretion. Following termination of his employment without cause, Mr. Kirkland would receive severance pay in a lump sum equal to the amount of his base salary he would have received if he was employed for one year after termination of his employment term.


	*Agreements with Vector:*

Mr. LeBow is a party to an employment agreement with Vector dated February 21, 1992, as amended July 20, 1998. The agreement has a one-year term with automatic renewals for additional one-year terms unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party six months prior to the termination date. As of January 1, 2005, Mr. LeBow’s annual base salary from Vector was $1,739,501. He was also paid an annual bonus for 2004 of $869,750 and an annual payment equal to 10% of his base salary in lieu of certain other executive benefits such as club memberships, company-paid automobiles and other similar perquisites. Following termination of his employment without cause, he would continue to receive his then current base salary and bonus for 24 months. Following termination of his employment within two years of a change-of-control or in connection with similar events, he would receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary and bonus.

On September 27, 2005, Mr. Lorber was named Chief Executive Officer of Vector (he will continue to serve as President and as a director) and Mr. LeBow was named Executive Chairman of the Board. These new appointments are effective January 1, 2006.

In connection with the foregoing, on September 27, 2005, Vector and Mr. LeBow entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement under which Mr. LeBow has agreed to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Vector from January 1, 2006 through December 30, 2008, unless his employment is terminated earlier in accordance with this Amended Employment Agreement. This Amended Employment Agreement provides that Mr. LeBow will receive an annual salary of $3,950,000 (less the base salary paid to Mr. LeBow by New Valley). Following termination of Mr. LeBow’s employment or his retirement, Mr. LeBow shall be subject to certain non-competition, non-hire, and other provisions in favor of Vector. This Amended Employment Agreement provides Mr. LeBow will be treated as having reached normal retirement date under Vector’s Supplemental Retirement Plan, or SERP, if he is employed through December 30, 2008. In addition, Vector has agreed to establish a separate trust for Mr. LeBow that is not subject to the claims of Vector’s creditors and shall make a contribution to such trust of $125,000 per quarter during each year of this employment term, and a proportional part of each payment to Mr. LeBow under the SERP will be made from the assets of such trust. In addition, for a period of five years following such retirement, Mr. LeBow will be required to provide consulting services and advice to Vector for up to 15 days per year, for which he will be paid a daily fee of $17,000.

In addition, on September 27, 2005, Mr. Lorber was awarded a restricted stock grant of 500,000 shares of Vector’s common stock pursuant to Vector’s Amended and Restated 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In connection with the grant, Vector entered into a Restricted Share Award Agreement with Mr. Lorber on that date. Pursuant to this Restricted Share Agreement, one-fourth of the shares vest on September 15, 2006, with an additional one-fourth vesting on each of the three succeeding one-year anniversaries of the first vesting date through September 15, 2009. In the event Mr. Lorber’s employment with Vector is terminated for any reason other than his death, his disability or a change of control (as defined in this Restricted Share Agreement) of Vector, any remaining balance of the shares not previously vested will be forfeited by Mr. Lorber.

Mr. Lorber is also a party to an employment agreement with Vector dated January 17, 2001. The agreement has an initial term of three years from January 17, 2001, with an automatic one-year extension on each anniversary of the effective date unless notice of non-extension is given by either party within 60 days before this date. As of January 1, 2005, Mr. Lorber’s annual base salary was $538,893. Mr. Lorber’s salary is subject to an annual cost of living adjustment. In addition, our board must periodically review this base salary and may increase but not decrease it from time to time in its sole discretion. Our board may also award an annual bonus to Mr. Lorber in its sole discretion. Following termination of his employment without cause, he would continue to receive his base salary for a period of 36 months commencing with the next anniversary of the effective date following the termination notice. Following termination of his employment within two years of a change-of-control, he would receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of his then current base salary and the bonus amounts earned by him for the twelve-month period ending with the last day of the month immediately before the month in which the termination occurs.

Mr. Bell is a party to an employment agreement with Vector dated April 15, 1994. The agreement had an initial term of two years from April 15, 1994 with automatic renewals after the initial term for additional one-year terms unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party within the 60-day period prior to the termination date. As of January 1, 2005, his annual base salary was $375,000. Our board may increase but not decrease Mr. Bell’s base salary from time to time in its sole discretion. Our board may also award an annual bonus to Mr. Bell in its sole discretion. Our board awarded Mr. Bell a bonus of $50,000 for 2004. Following termination of his employment without cause, Mr. Bell would receive severance pay in a lump sum equal to the amount of his base salary he would have received if he was employed for one year after termination of his employment term.

New Valley 2005 Restricted Share Award

On January 10, 2005, New Valley awarded Mr. Lorber, the President and Chief Operating Officer of New Valley, a restricted stock grant of 1,250,000 common shares of New Valley pursuant to New Valley’s 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Under the terms of the award, one-seventh of the shares vested on July 15, 2005, with an additional one-seventh vesting on each of the five succeeding one-year anniversaries of the first vesting date through July 15, 2010 and an additional one-seventh vesting on January 15, 2011. In the event his employment with New Valley is terminated for any reason other than his death, his disability or a change of control of New Valley or Vector, any remaining balance of the shares not previously vested will be forfeited by him. On September 27, 2005, in conjunction with Mr. Lorber’s election as Chief Executive Officer of Vector effective January 1, 2006 and his receipt of a new restricted stock grant from Vector, Mr. Lorber relinquished and waived, as of that date, the unvested 1,071,429 common shares of New Valley deliverable by New Valley to him in the future under the terms of the January 10, 2005 restricted share award agreement.

Compensation as Directors of New Valley

Mr. Beinstein is a non-employee director of New Valley and a director of Vector. In 2004, each non-employee director of New Valley received an annual fee of $35,000 for serving on the board of directors, an annual fee of $60,000 for serving on the executive committee thereof and a $1,000 fee for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a committee thereof other than the executive committee. Each

director is reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in serving on the board. Under New Valley’s Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Program, each non-employee director automatically was granted an option to acquire 5,000 common shares of New Valley upon reelection as a director at the 2005 annual meeting. The exercise price for each option awarded under the program was the fair market value of the common shares of New Valley on the date of grant. Each option will be exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Certain Relationships of Mr. Lorber

Mr. Lorber was the Chairman of the Board of Hallman & Lorber in 2004 and, since January 2005, has served as a consultant to such company. During 2004, Mr. Lorber and Hallman & Lorber and its affiliates received ordinary and customary insurance commissions aggregating approximately $587,000 on various insurance policies issued for Vector, New Valley and their subsidiaries and investees. Mr. Lorber and Hallman & Lorber and its affiliates have continued to provide services to Vector and New Valley in 2005.

Mr. Lorber is a shareholder and registered representative in Aegis Capital Corp., a broker-dealer to which New Valley paid $46,000 in brokerage commissions and other income in 2004. Mr. Eide is a stockholder, and serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, of such firm. Aegis Capital has continued to provide services to New Valley in 2005.

COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NEW VALLEY COMMON SHARES AND HOLDERS OF VECTOR COMMON STOCK

Because New Valley and Vector are both organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, the differences in the rights of a New Valley stockholder and the rights of a Vector stockholder arise from differences in the organizational documents of New Valley and Vector, rather than from differences of law. The following summary highlights material differences between the current rights of holders of Vector’s common stock and holders of New Valley’s common shares. This summary is not a complete discussion of the certificates of incorporation and by-laws of Vector and New Valley and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the specific provisions of these documents, which we incorporate by reference into this Prospectus. Copies of each company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws have been filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 74.


New Valley		Vector

Capital Stock
Authorized Stock
New Valley’s certificate of incorporation authorizes New Valley to issue 50,000,000 common shares and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.		Vector’s certificate of incorporation authorizes Vector to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
New Valley’s board has the authority to issue one or more series of preferred stock, having terms designated by New Valley’s board.		Vector’s board has the authority to issue one or more series of preferred stock, having terms designated by Vector’s board.
As of October 19, 2005, there were 22,260,607 common shares and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. New Valley’s common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market.		As of October 19, 2005, there were 44,592,890 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Vector’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Voting Rights
Each common share of New Valley entitles its holder to one vote on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote		Each share of Vector’s common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote.

Notice of Stockholder Proposals


New Valley		Vector

New Valley’s by-laws do not provide for advance notice of stockholder proposals		Vector’s by-laws do not provide for advance notice of stockholder proposals.
Board of Directors
Number of Directors
New Valley’s by-laws provide that the number of directors shall not be more than nine and less than three as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the board. New Valley’s board is currently composed of eight members. In addition, the by-laws provide that the board may increase the number of directors above the maximum specified above by such number as may at any time be required under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation entitling the holders of shares of any class or series, because dividends on such shares are in arrears to an increase in the number and to elect additional directors; and the board may correspondingly reduce the number as so increased, at any time when under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation the holders of shares of any class or series have been divested of such right of election and the directors elected by them have therefore ceased to be directors.		Vector’s by-laws provide that the number of directors may be fixed, from time to time, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire board or by action of the Vector stockholders. Vector’s board is currently composed of seven members.
Classified Board
All of New Valley’s directors are in one class and elected annually.		All of Vector’s directors are in one class and elected annually.
Removal of Directors
New Valley’s by-laws provide that, except as otherwise provided by statute, any director may be removed, either with or without cause, at any time, by the stockholders.		Vector’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that any director or the entire board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of shares at the time entitled to vote at any election of directors (whether or not the board is classified).
Filling of Board Vacancies
New Valley’s by-laws provide that newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and vacancies in the board occasioned by the death, resignation, removal or disqualification of a director may, except as otherwise provided by statute, be filled, until successors shall have been elected as prescribed in the by-laws and shall have qualified, by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum exists, or by the stockholders.		Vector’s by-laws provide that any vacancy in the board, whether arising from death, resignation, removal (with or without cause), an increase in the number of directors or any other cause, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director or by the stockholders at the next annual meeting thereof or at a special meeting thereof. Each director so elected shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.
Nomination of Directors
Neither New Valley’s certificate of incorporation nor by-laws specifically provide for how directors are nominated.		Neither Vector’s certificate of incorporation nor by- laws specifically provide for how directors are nominated.
Stockholders Voting Agreement
New Valley has no Voting Agreement or similar arrangement.		Vector has no Voting Agreement or similar arrangement.


New Valley		Vector

Other Matters
Calling Special Meetings of Stockholders
New Valley’s by-laws provide that a special meeting of stockholders, other than meetings regulated by statute, may be called at any time by resolution of the board, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or in his absence the President, and in his absence, the Secretary on request in writing of a majority of the directors or of any stockholder or stockholders holding of record shares of New Valley capital stock entitled to at least 25 percent of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.		Vector’s by-laws provide that special meetings of stockholders, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called at any time by the board or by the Chairman of the Board or, in his absence, the President and shall be called by the Secretary upon the request in writing of a stockholder or stockholders holding of record at least 25 percent of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of Vector stock entitled to vote at such meeting.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Delaware law provides that stockholders may act by written consent unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation (neither New Valley’s certificate of incorporation nor by-laws provide for stockholder action by written consent).		Vector’s by-laws provide that stockholders may take action by written consent, if the consent sets forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares of Vector stock entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Business Combinations
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders) applies to New Valley.		Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders) applies to Vector.
Stockholders’ Rights Plan
New Valley has not adopted a stockholders’ rights plan.		Vector has not adopted a stockholders’ rights plan.
Amendment of Organizational Documents
Certificate of Incorporation
New Valley’s certificate of incorporation does not specifically provide for amending the certificate of incorporation. However, Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes amendments to the certificate of incorporation.		Vector’s certificate of incorporation provides that Vector reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in the certificate of incorporation.
By-Laws
New Valley’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws provides that the by-laws may be amended or repealed by the board by the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting of the board at which a quorum is present. In addition, the by-laws provide that the by-laws may be amended or repealed at any stockholders’ meeting by the vote of a majority interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy thereat, a quorum being present; provided notice of the proposed amendment or alteration was included in the notice of such meeting.		Vector’s by-laws provide that the by-laws may be amended or repealed (1) by action of the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at any annual or special meeting of stockholders or (2) if the certificate of incorporation so provides, by action of the board at a regular or special meeting thereof. The by-laws also provide that any by-law made by the board may be amended or repealed by action of the stockholders at any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Vector and New Valley file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that Vector and New Valley file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference rooms.

Vector and New Valley’s SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

We filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register with the SEC the Vector common stock we will issue pursuant to the offer and the subsequent merger. This Prospectus is a part of that Registration Statement. As allowed by SEC rules, this Prospectus does not contain all the information you can find in the Registration Statement or the exhibits to the Registration Statement. We also filed with the SEC a tender offer statement on Schedule TO pursuant to Rule 14d-3 under the Exchange Act in connection with our offer. You may obtain copies of the Form S-4 and the Schedule TO (and any amendments to those documents) in the manner described above.

New Valley is required to file with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 regarding the offer within ten business days from the date of the distribution of this Prospectus and to disseminate this statement to New Valley stockholders. You may obtain a copy of the Schedule 14D-9 after it is filed (and any amendments to that document) in the manner described above.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this Prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this Prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this Prospectus or in a later filed document incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. This Prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that Vector and New Valley have previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about Vector and New Valley.

VECTOR SEC FILINGS


Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.		For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.		For the fiscal quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2005.
Current Reports on Form 8-K.		Filed on January 11, 2005, February 2, 2005, February 17, 2005, February 24, 2005, March 3, 2005, March 7, 2005, March 17, 2005, March 21, 2005, April 1, 2005, April 14, 2005, May 10, 2005, June 20, 2005, July 22, 2005, August 9, 2005 and September 28, 2005, respectively.
The description of Vector’s common stock in our prospectus dated June 3, 2005 filed on Form 424B3		Filed on June 3, 2005.

NEW VALLEY SEC FILINGS


Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.		For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.		For the fiscal quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2005.
Current Reports on Form 8-K.		Filed on January 12, 2005, February 17, 2005, March 21, 2005, June 20, 2005, July 22, 2005, August 25, 2005 and September 28, 2005 respectively.
The description of New Valley’s common shares in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 21, 2000.		Filed on September 22, 2000.

All documents filed by Vector and New Valley pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC from the date of this Prospectus to the date that common shares of New Valley are accepted for exchange pursuant to our offer and the period for perfecting appraisal rights in connection with the subsequent merger is concluded (or the date that our offer is terminated) are also deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

All information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Prospectus relating to Vector was provided by Vector. Vector has included in this offer information concerning New Valley known to Vector. Vector has no knowledge that would indicate that statements relating to New Valley contained or incorporated by reference in this offer to exchange are inaccurate or incomplete.

Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge upon written or oral request of New Valley stockholders to the Information Agent for the proposed transaction, Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc., 17 State Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10004, toll free at (877) 388-2794. Exhibits to these documents will only be furnished if they are specifically incorporated by reference in this document. If you request any incorporated documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means, within one business day after we receive your request.

LEGAL MATTERS

Legal matters in connection with the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP of New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) of Vector Group Ltd. incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statements of New Valley Corporation incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statements of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Vector Group Ltd. Annual Report on Form 10-K/ A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statements of Koa Investors, LLC incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Vector Group Ltd. Annual Report on Form 10-K/ A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Weiser LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

MISCELLANEOUS

The offer is being made solely by this Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal and is being made to holders of all outstanding common shares of New Valley. We are not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the offer is prohibited by any administrative or judicial action pursuant to any valid state statute. If we become aware of any valid state statute prohibiting the making of the offer or the acceptance of shares pursuant thereto, we will make a good faith effort to comply with any such state statute. If, after making a good faith effort, we cannot comply with that state statute, the offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of shares in that state. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the offer shall be deemed to be made on our behalf by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of that jurisdiction.

No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representation on behalf of Vector or VGR Holding not contained in this Prospectus or in the Letter of Transmittal, and if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized.

ANNEX A

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS

AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF VECTOR AND VGR HOLDING

The following table sets forth, to the best of our knowledge, for each executive officer and director of Vector and each executive officer and director of VGR Holding, his or her name, business or residence address, principal occupation or employment at the present time and during the last five years, and the name of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted or was conducted. To the best of our knowledge, all of the persons listed below are citizens of the United States of America. During the past five years, to the best of our knowledge, none of the executive officers or directors of Vector nor any of the executive officers or directors of VGR Holding have been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which the person was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation of these laws. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal business address of each director and executive officer is 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida 33131.


		Present Occupation or Employment,
Name and Title		Five-Year Employment History and Address

Bennett S. LeBow Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Vector, VGR Holding and New Valley		Bennett S. LeBow has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Vector since June 1990 and has been a director of Vector since October 1986. Since November 1990, he has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of VGR Holding Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector, which directly or indirectly holds the Vector’s equity interests in several private and public companies. Effective January 1, 2006, Mr. LeBow will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Vector and VGR Holding. Mr. LeBow has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Tobacco Inc., a subsidiary of Vector engaged in the development and marketing of low nicotine and nicotine-free cigarette products and the development of reduced risk cigarette products, since January 2001 and as a director since October 1999. Mr. LeBow has been Chairman of the Board of New Valley, a majority-owned subsidiary of Vector engaged in the real estate business and seeking to acquire additional operating companies and real estate properties, since January 1988 and Chief Executive Officer since November 1994.
Howard M. Lorber President, Chief Operating Officer and director of Vector, VGR Holding and New Valley		Howard M. Lorber has been President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Vector and VGR Holding since January 2001. Effective January 1, 2006, Mr. Lorber will serve as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Vector and VGR Holding. Since November 1994, Mr. Lorber has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of New Valley, where he also serves as a director. Mr. Lorber was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hallman & Lorber

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		Present Occupation or Employment,
Name and Title		Five-Year Employment History and Address

		Assoc. Inc., consultants and actuaries of qualified pension and profit sharing plans, and various of its affiliates from 1975 to December 2004 and has been a consultant to these entities since January 2005; a stockholder and a registered representative of Aegis Capital Corp., a broker-dealer and a member firm of the National Association of Securities Dealers, since 1984; Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1987 and Chief Executive Officer since November 1993 of Nathan’s Famous, Inc., a chain of fast food restaurants; a consultant to Vector and its Liggett Group Inc. subsidiary from January 1994 to January 2001; a director of United Capital Corp., a real estate investment and diversified manufacturing company, since May 1991; and the Chairman of the Board of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services since May 2001.
Ronald J. Bernstein Director of Vector and VGR Holding. President and Chief Executive Officer of Liggett and Liggett Vector Brands		Ronald J. Bernstein has been a director of Vector and VGR Holding since March 2004. Mr. Bernstein has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Liggett since September 1, 2000 and of Liggett Vector Brands since March 2002. From July 1996 to December 1999, Mr. Bernstein served as General Director and, from December 1999 to September 2000, as Chairman of Liggett-Ducat Ltd., Vector’s former Russian tobacco business sold in 2000. Prior to that time, Mr. Bernstein served in various positions with Liggett commencing in 1991, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Henry C. Beinstein Director of Vector, VGR Holding and New Valley		Henry C. Beinstein has been a director of Vector and VGR Holding since March 2004. Since January 2005, Mr. Beinstein has been a partner of Gagnon Securities LLC, a broker-dealer, and has been a money manager and registered representative at such firm since August 2002. He retired in August 2002 as the Executive Director of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, a New York-based law firm, a position he had held since August 1997. Before that, Mr. Beinstein had served as the Managing Director of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, a New York-based law firm, commencing November 1995. Mr. Beinstein was the Executive Director of Proskauer Rose LLP, a New York-based law firm, from April 1985 through October 1995. Mr. Beinstein is a certified public accountant in New York and New Jersey and prior to joining Proskauer was a partner and National Director of Finance and Administration at Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Beinstein has been a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services since May 2001 and a director of New Valley since November 1994.
Robert J. Eide Director of Vector and VGR Holding		Robert J. Eide has been a director of Vector and VGR Holding since November 1993. Mr. Eide has

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		Present Occupation or Employment,
Name and Title		Five-Year Employment History and Address

		been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aegis Capital Corp., a registered broker-dealer, since 1984. Mr. Eide also serves as a director of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services.
Jeffrey S. Podell Director of Vector and VGR Holding		Jeffrey S. Podell has been a director of Vector and VGR Holding since November 1993. Mr. Podell has been the Chairman of the Board and President of Newsote, Inc., a privately-held holding company, since 1989. Mr. Podell also serves as a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services.
Jean E. Sharpe Director of Vector and VGR Holding		Jean E. Sharpe has been a director of Vector and VGR Holding since May 1998. Ms. Sharpe is a private investor and has engaged in various philanthropic activities since her retirement in September 1993 as Executive Vice President and Secretary of Vector and as an officer of various of its subsidiaries. Ms. Sharpe previously served as a director of Vector from July 1990 until September 1993.
Richard J. Lampen Executive Vice President of Vector and VGR Holding. Executive Vice President, General Counsel and director of New Valley		Richard J. Lampen has been Executive Vice President of Vector and VGR Holding since July 1996, and has served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of New Valley since October 1995. Since November 1998, Mr. Lampen has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CDSI Holdings Inc., an affiliate of New Valley with an interest in a direct mail and telemarketing services company. Mr. Lampen serves as a director of New Valley, CDSI and Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services.
Marc N. Bell Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Vector and VGR Holding. Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Secretary of New Valley		Marc N. Bell has been the Vice President of Vector and VGR Holding since January 1998, the General Counsel and Secretary of Vector and VGR Holding since May 1994, and the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Vector Tobacco since April 2002. Since November 1994, Mr. Bell has served as Associate General Counsel and Secretary of New Valley and since February 1998, as Vice President of New Valley.
Joselynn D. Van Siclen Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Vector and VGR Holding		Joselynn D. Van Siclen has been Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Vector and VGR Holding, and currently holds various positions with certain of VGR Holding’s subsidiaries, including Vice President and Treasurer of Eve Holdings Inc. since April 1994 and May 1996, respectively. Prior to May 1996, Ms. Van Siclen served as Vector’s Director of Finance and was employed in various accounting capacities with our subsidiaries since 1992.

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ANNEX B

INTERESTS OF VECTOR AND THE DIRECTORS,

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND AFFILIATES OF VECTOR

IN COMMON SHARES OF NEW VALLEY

The following table sets forth the interests by Vector and VGR Holding and, to the best of our knowledge, their respective directors and executive officers in the shares of New Valley, as of October 19, 2005. Unless otherwise indicated, neither Vector nor VGR Holding has and, to the best of our knowledge, none of the directors or executive officers of Vector or VGR Holding has bought or sold any shares of New Valley within the past 60 days.


	Number of Common Shares
Name	Beneficially Owned

Bennett S. LeBow		12,849,118	(1)
Vector Group Ltd.
VGR Holding Inc.
Howard M. Lorber		963,941	(2)
Henry C. Beinstein		41,499	(3)
Robert J. Eide		5


(1)	VGR Holding exercises sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 12,849,118 common shares of New Valley. Each of Vector and Mr. LeBow disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares under Rule 13d-3, or for any other purpose.

(2)	Includes 778,608 common shares of New Valley held directly by Mr. Lorber, 120,000 common shares of New Valley held by Lorber Alpha II Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership, and 65,333 common shares of New Valley subject to currently exercisable employee stock options. Lorber Alpha II, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is the general partner of Lorber Alpha II Partnership. Mr. Lorber is the director, officer and principal stockholder of Lorber Alpha II, Inc.

(3)	Includes 833 common shares of New Valley beneficially owned by his spouse, as to which shares Mr. Beinstein disclaims beneficial ownership, and 30,000 common shares of New Valley issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of October 19, 2005.

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ANNEX C

SECTION 262 OF GENERAL CORPORATION LAW

OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

§ 262. Appraisal rights.

(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder’s shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word “stockholder” means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the words “depository receipt” mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.

(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 257, § 258, § 263 or § 264 of this title:


	(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in subsection (f) of § 251 of this title.

	(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to §§ 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:


	a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;

	b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;

	c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this paragraph; or

	d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this paragraph.

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	(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 of this title is not owned by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.

(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.

(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:


	(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or

	(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to § 228 or § 253 of this title, then either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or the surviving or resulting corporation within 10 days thereafter shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of such holder’s shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder’s shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given,

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	provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.

(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw such stockholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after such stockholder’s written request for such a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.

(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.

(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.

(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted such stockholder’s certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may

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participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.

(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock. The Court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.

(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.

(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such stockholder’s demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.

(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.

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ANNEX D

OPINION OF JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

September 27, 2005

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VECTOR GROUP LTD.

International Plaza

100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd Floor

Miami, FL 33131

Members of the Board of Directors:

We understand that Vector Group Ltd. (the “Company”) intends to commence an exchange offer for all of the common stock of New Valley Corporation (“New Valley”) not owned by the Company or its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Transaction”) in which each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of New Valley (the “New Valley Common Stock”), will be exchanged for 0.461 shares (the “Exchange Ratio”) of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”). You have advised us that the Company currently owns approximately 57.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of New Valley Common Stock, and that the exchange offer will be conditioned upon, among other things, a sufficient number of shares of New Valley Common Stock being validly tendered pursuant to the exchange offer such that the Company will own at least 90% of the outstanding New Valley Common Stock. You have advised us that assuming successful completion of the exchange offer, the Company will effect a short-form merger under Delaware law with the result that New Valley will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and that all New Valley stockholders who did not participate in the exchange offer will receive the same Exchange Ratio for their shares of New Valley common stock.

Jefferies & Company, Inc. (“Jefferies”), as part of its investment banking business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, financial restructurings and other financial services. We have been engaged by the Company to render a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the Exchange Ratio. We will receive a fee for our services payable upon delivery of this opinion, and we also will be reimbursed for expenses incurred. We or our affiliates have, in the past, provided financial advisory services to the Company and certain stockholders of the Company and may continue to do so and have received, and may receive, fees for such services. In addition, we or our affiliates currently are and have, in the past, provided financial advisory services to certain stockholders of New Valley and may continue to do so and will receive, have received, and may receive, fees for such services. The Company has agreed to indemnify Jefferies against liabilities arising out of or in connection with the services rendered and to be rendered by Jefferies under such engagement. We maintain a market in the securities of the Company, and in the ordinary course of our business, we and our affiliates may trade or hold securities of the Company for our own account and for the accounts of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in those securities.

You have asked for our opinion as investment bankers as to whether the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company.

In conducting our analysis and arriving at the opinion expressed herein, we have, among other things:


	(i) reviewed the Company’s and New Valley’s operations and prospects;

	(ii) reviewed certain financial and other information about the Company and New Valley that was publicly available;

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	(iii) reviewed information furnished to us by the Company’s management, including certain internal financial analyses, financial forecasts with respect to the Company and New Valley, budgets, reports and other information;

	(iv) based on information furnished to us by the Company’s management and its outside advisors concerning the tax assets of New Valley and the treatment of New Valley’s net operating losses after giving effect to the Transaction, considered the value of New Valley’s tax assets to the Company after giving effect to the Transaction;

	(v) held discussions with various members of management of the Company concerning historical and current operations, financial conditions and prospects, including recent financial performance;

	(vi) reviewed the share trading price history of the Company Common Stock and the New Valley Common Stock for a period we deemed appropriate;

	(vii) reviewed the valuation of New Valley implied by the Exchange Ratio;

	(viii) reviewed the premiums paid in selected acquisition transactions;

	(ix) prepared a discounted cash flow analysis of New Valley on a stand-alone basis; and

	(x) reviewed an analysis of the combined entity and the resulting earnings accretion/dilution.

In addition, we have conducted such other quantitative reviews, analyses and inquiries relating to the Company and New Valley as we considered appropriate in rendering this opinion. We note that we have not had the opportunity to review any non-public information of or financial forecasts provided by New Valley other than such information and financial forecasts provided to us by the Company.

In our review and analysis and in rendering this opinion, we have assumed and relied upon, but have not assumed any responsibility to independently investigate or verify, the accuracy, completeness and fair presentation of all financial and other information that was provided to us by the Company or that was publicly available to us (including, without limitation, the information described above), or that was otherwise reviewed by us. This opinion is expressly conditioned upon such information (whether written or oral) being complete, accurate and fair in all respects material to our analysis.

With respect to the financial forecasts provided to and examined by us, we note that projecting future results of any company is inherently subject to uncertainty. The Company has informed us, however, and we have assumed, that such financial forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and good faith judgments of the management of the Company as to the future performance of the Company and New Valley, respectively. We express no opinion as to the Company’s or New Valley’s financial forecasts or the assumptions on which they are made. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed that each of the Company and New Valley will perform in accordance with such financial forecasts for all periods specified therein. Although such financial forecasts did not form the principal basis for our opinion, but rather constituted one of many items that we employed, changes to such financial forecasts could affect the opinion rendered herein.

Accordingly, Jefferies’ analyses must be considered as a whole. Considering any portion of such analyses or the factors considered, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying the conclusions expressed herein. We expressly disclaim any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any fact or matter affecting our opinion of which we become aware after the date hereof.

In our review, we did not obtain any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of, nor did we conduct a comprehensive physical inspection of any of the assets of, the Company or New Valley, nor have we been furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals or reports of such physical inspections, nor do we assume any responsibility to obtain any such evaluations, appraisals or inspections. Our opinion is based on economic, monetary, regulatory, market and other conditions existing and which can be evaluated as of the date hereof. We have made no independent investigation of any legal or accounting matters affecting the Company or New Valley, and we have assumed the correctness in all

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respects material to our analysis of all legal and accounting advice given to the Company and its Board of Directors, including, without limitation, advice as to the legal, accounting and tax consequences (including, but not limited to, the treatment of New Valley’s net operating losses after giving effect to the Transaction) of the terms of the Transaction to the Company.

It is understood that our opinion is for the use and benefit of the Board of Directors of the Company in its consideration of the Transaction, and our opinion does not address the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative transactions that might be available to the Company, nor does it address the underlying business decision by the Company to engage in the Transaction. Our opinion does not constitute a recommendation as to how any holder of shares of the Company Common Stock should vote on any matter relevant to the Transaction. We express no opinion as to the price at which the Company Common Stock will trade at any future time. Except as provided in our engagement letter with the Company, our opinion may not be used or referred to by the Company, or quoted or disclosed to any person in any matter, without our prior written consent.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion as investment bankers that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company.


	Very truly yours,

	JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.

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VECTOR GROUP LTD.

PROXY

SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT
THE NOVEMBER 29, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF VECTOR GROUP LTD.

The undersigned stockholder of Vector Group Ltd. (“Vector”) hereby constitutes and appoints each of Marc N. Bell and Joselynn D. Van Siclen attorney and proxy of the undersigned, with power of substitution, to attend, vote and act for the undersigned at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of Vector, a Delaware corporation, to be held at The Hyatt Regency Miami, 400 S.E. Second Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131 on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, with respect to the following on the reverse side of this proxy card and, in their discretion, on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)

The Board of Directors, recommends that stockholders vote FOR the approval of the issuance of shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of Vector (the “Vector Common Stock”) to be issued pursuant to the proposed Exchange Offer and subsequent merger as described in this proxy statement. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE: ý


Item 1.		Approval of Issuance of Shares of Vector Common Stock:


FOR ¨		AGAINST ¨		ABSTAIN ¨

The shares represented by this proxy will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned stockholder. If not otherwise directed, this proxy will be voted FOR the issuance of the shares of Vector Common Stock.

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. ¨



Signature of Stockholder		Date


Signature of Stockholder		Date

NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.