Contingencies (Overview of Altria Group, Inc. and/or PM USA Tobacco-Related Litigation - Schedule of Judgments Recorded and Paid) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items at beginning of period				$ 47				$ 132	$ 47	$ 132	$ 39
Payments									(21)	(190)	(57)
Accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items at end of period	$ 106				$ 47				106	47	132
Interest Expense Related To Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									8	7	23
Tobacco and Health Judgment [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded	$ 62	$ 0	$ 17	$ 1	$ 17	$ 45	$ 5	$ 38
Tobacco and Health Judgment [Member] | Litigation Cases Results [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									72	21	84
Engle Progeny Cases, Federal [Member] | Litigation Cases Results [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									0	0	43
Lights Ultra Lights Class Actions, Aspinall [Member] | Litigation Cases Results [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									0	32	0
Miner [Member] | Litigation Cases Results [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									$ 0	$ 45	$ 0