Other Comprehensive Earnings/Losses (Reclassifications) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Other Comprehensive Earnings Losses By Component [Line Items]
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity earnings of subsidiaries	$ 2,147		$ 1,869
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Other Comprehensive Earnings Losses By Component [Line Items]
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity earnings of subsidiaries	77		41
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Other Comprehensive Earnings Losses By Component [Line Items]
Net Loss	87	[1]	71	[1]
Prior service cost/credit	(8)	[1]	(34)	[1]
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity earnings of subsidiaries	79	[1]	37	[1]
SABMiller [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Other Comprehensive Earnings Losses By Component [Line Items]
(Loss) earnings before income taxes and equity earnings of subsidiaries	$ (2)	[2]	$ 4	[2]

[1] (a) Amounts are included in net defined benefit plan costs. For further details, see Note 3. Benefit Plans.

[2] (b) Amounts are included in earnings from equity investment in SABMiller. For further information on Altria Group, Inc.’s equity investment in SABMiller, see Note 4. Earnings from Equity Investment in SABMiller.