Other Comprehensive Earnings/Losses (Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ (2,682)		$ (1,378)		$ (1,378)
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications	(472)		51
Deferred income taxes	164		(18)
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes	(308)		33
Amounts reclassified to earnings	72		44
Deferred income taxes	(27)		(17)
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes	45		27
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes	(263)		60		(1,304)
Balances at end of period	(2,945)		(1,318)		(2,682)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	(2)		0		0
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications	(1)		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes	(1)		0
Amounts reclassified to earnings	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes	0		0
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes	(1)		0
Balances at end of period	(3)		0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	(2,040)		(1,273)		(1,273)
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes	0		0
Amounts reclassified to earnings	68		41
Deferred income taxes	(26)		(16)
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes	42		25
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes	42		25
Balances at end of period	(1,998)		(1,248)
SABMiller Plc [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	(640)		(105)		(105)
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications	(471)		51
Deferred income taxes	164		(18)
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes	(307)		33
Amounts reclassified to earnings	4		3
Deferred income taxes	(1)		(1)
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes	3		2
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes	(304)	[1]	35	[1]
Balances at end of period	$ (944)		$ (70)

[1] For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Altria Group, Inc.’s proportionate share of SABMiller’s other comprehensive earnings/losses consisted primarily of currency translation adjustments.