Consolidated Statements of Earnings - 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
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 6,101	$ 6,729	$ 6,663	$ 6,083	$ 6,252	$ 6,905	$ 6,521	$ 6,066	$ 25,576	$ 25,744	$ 25,434
Cost of sales									7,543	7,746	7,740
Excise taxes on products									6,082	6,407	6,580
Gross profit	2,870	3,183	3,119	2,779	2,828	3,150	2,957	2,656	11,951	11,591	11,114
Marketing, administration and research costs									2,362	2,650	2,708
Reduction of PMI tax-related receivable									0	0	41
Asset impairment and exit costs									33	179	4
Operating (expense) income									9,556	8,762	8,361
Interest and other debt expense, net									705	747	817
Loss on early extinguishment of debt					0	823	0	0	0	823	228
Earnings from equity investment in AB InBev/SABMiller									(532)	(795)	(757)
Gain on AB InBev/SABMiller business combination	0	(37)	(408)	0	(13,660)	(48)	(117)	(40)	(445)	(13,865)	(5)
Earnings before income taxes									9,828	21,852	8,078
(Benefit) provision for income taxes									(399)	7,608	2,835
Net earnings	4,968	1,867	1,990	1,402	10,278	1,094	1,654	1,218	10,227	14,244	5,243
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									(5)	(5)	(2)
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 4,966	$ 1,866	$ 1,989	$ 1,401	$ 10,276	$ 1,093	$ 1,653	$ 1,217	$ 10,222	$ 14,239	$ 5,241
Per share data:
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Altria Group, Inc. (usd per share)	$ 2.60	$ 0.97	$ 1.03	$ 0.72	$ 5.27	$ 0.56	$ 0.84	$ 0.62	$ 5.31	$ 7.28	$ 2.67