Earnings Per Share (Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, 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	Feb. 29, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock Options Outstanding												0
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
Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings									(13)	(13)	(15)
Earnings for basic and diluted EPS									$ 4,167	$ 3,377	$ 3,890
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS									2,024	2,064	2,077
Add: Incremental shares from stock options									0	0	2
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS									2,024	2,064	2,079