Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

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

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value amount of debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

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Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=mo_USTMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mo_SeniorUnsecuredLongTermNotesDue2026Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mo_SeniorUnsecuredLongTermNotesDue2046Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mo_NotesIssued2008and2009Member
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Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs	$ 77,000,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of debt	$ 933,000,000	$ 793,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| UST [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				5.75%
Debt redeemed				$ 300,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] \| Change Of Control And Loss Of Investment Grade Rating [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Required purchase price as percentage of aggregate principal amount	101.00%
Senior Unsecured Long Term Notes Due 2026 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 500,000,000.0
Stated interest rate			2.625%
Senior Unsecured Long Term Notes Due 2046 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount			$ 1,500,000,000.0
Stated interest rate			3.875%
Notes Issued, 2008 and 2009 [Member] \| Senior Notes [Member] \| Subject to Credit Rating Step Up [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 2,500,000,000.0
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of long term debt	13,900,000,000	12,800,000,000
Level 2 [Member] \| Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of long term debt	$ 15,100,000,000	14,500,000,000
Other Assets [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs		(72,000,000)
Long-term Debt [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs		$ 72,000,000