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Background And Basis Of Presentation Comprehensive Earnings Presentation (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Background and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]  
Comprehensive earnings presentation [Policy Text Block]
Effective January 1, 2012, Altria Group, Inc. adopted new authoritative guidance that eliminated the option of presenting components of other comprehensive earnings as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. With the adoption of this guidance, Altria Group, Inc. is reporting other comprehensive earnings in separate statements immediately following the statements of earnings.