Earnings Per Share (Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 657	$ 1,173	$ 3,077	$ 2,554
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings attributable to unvested restricted and deferred shares	(2)	(5)	(10)	(10)
Earnings for basic and diluted EPS	$ 655	$ 1,168	$ 3,067	$ 2,544
Weighted-average shares for basic and diluted EPS	2,024	2,054	2,028	2,071