Finance Assets, net (Schedule of Allowance for Losses on Finance Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Allowance for losses on finance assets [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 99	$ 227
Decrease to allowance	(47)	(10)
Amounts written-off	0	(118)
Ending balance	$ 52	$ 99

Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Period Increase (Decrease) Excluding Write-offs

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	mo_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of direct write-downs of financing receivables charged against the allowance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration