Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 6,242	$ 6,242	$ 6,487	$ 5,647	$ 6,129	$ 6,108	$ 5,920	$ 5,643	$ 24,618	$ 23,800	$ 24,363
Cost of sales									7,937	7,680	7,704
Excise taxes on products									7,118	7,181	7,471
Gross profit	2,383	2,484	2,494	2,202	2,374	2,445	1,972	2,148	9,563	8,939	9,188
Marketing, administration and research costs									2,281	2,643	2,735
Changes to Mondelēz and PMI tax-related receivables									(52)	(14)	169
Asset impairment and exit costs	16	11	25	4					61	222	36
Amortization of intangibles									20	20	20
Operating income									7,253	6,068	6,228
Interest and other debt expense, net									1,126	1,216	1,133
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	874	0	0					874	0	0
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller									(1,224)	(730)	(628)
Earnings before income taxes									6,477	5,582	5,723
Provision for income taxes									2,294	2,189	1,816
Net earnings	1,105	657	1,226	1,195	837	1,174	444	938	4,183	3,393	3,907
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2)	0	(1)	0	(1)	(1)	0	(1)	(3)	(3)	(2)
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 1,103	$ 657	$ 1,225	$ 1,195	$ 836	$ 1,173	$ 444	$ 937	$ 4,180	$ 3,390	$ 3,905
Per share data:
Basic earnings per share attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 0.55	$ 0.32	$ 0.60	$ 0.59	$ 0.41	$ 0.57	$ 0.21	$ 0.45	$ 2.06	$ 1.64	$ 1.87
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 0.55	$ 0.32	$ 0.60	$ 0.59	$ 0.41	$ 0.57	$ 0.21	$ 0.45	$ 2.06	$ 1.64	$ 1.87