Contingencies (Non-Engle Progeny Cases Trial Results Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
California/Bullock [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Damages Recorded Date	fourth quarter of 2011
Loss contingency, damages recorded	$ 14,000,000
Loss contingency, interest accrued	3,000,000
Judgment costs and interest paid	19,100,000
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid Date	March 2012
Individual Smoking And Health Cases [Member] | California/Boeken [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, period of occurrence	August 2011
Compensatory damages jury award allocation amount	12,800,000
Appeal bond posted by PM USA	12,800,000
Loss contingency, appeal bond date	November 2011
Individual Smoking And Health Cases [Member] | Oregon Schwarz [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, period of occurrence	March 2002
Compensatory damages jury award total excluding interest	168,500
Loss contingency, court reduction date	May 2002
Punitive damages reduced award total	100,000,000
Date of Court Award of Costs to Defendant	December 2010
Court ordered costs returned to defendant	500,000
Punitive damages jury award allocation amount	150,000,000
Punitive damages judgment award total	25,000,000
Individual Smoking And Health Cases [Member] | Oregon Williams [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Damages Recorded Date	fourth quarter of 2011
Loss contingency, damages recorded	48,000,000
Loss contingency, interest accrued	54,000,000
Judgment costs and interest paid	$ 102,000,000
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid Date	January 2012