Background And Basis Of Presentation (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	18 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011 Altria Group Inc October Two Thousand And Eleven [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Altria Group Inc October Two Thousand And Eleven [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Altria Group Inc October Two Thousand And Eleven [Member]	Oct. 23, 2012 Altria Group Inc October Two Thousand And Eleven [Member]	Apr. 24, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] Altria Group Inc October Two Thousans and Thirteen [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	26.80%
Planned share repurchase program				$ 1,000,000,000				$ 300,000,000
Repurchase Program Expected Completion Date								Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock Repurchase Expanded Amount Authorized							1,500,000,000
Shares repurchased during period					1.7	48.3
Shares repurchased during period, value	57,000,000		1,116,000,000		57,000,000
Average price of repurchased shares, per share					$ 34.05	$ 31.06
Understatement of Earnings From Equity Method Investment		342,000,000
Understatement of Net Earnings and Total Comprehensive earnings		$ 222,000,000
Understatement of Diluted Earnings Per Share		$ 0.11