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			168 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2018
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items at beginning of period				$ 106				$ 47	$ 106	$ 47	$ 132
Provision related to litigation recorded	$ 12	$ 21	$ 70	$ 28	$ 62	$ 0	$ 17	$ 1
Payments									(125)	(21)	(190)
Accrued liability for tobacco and health litigation items at end of period	$ 112				$ 106				112	106	47
Interest Expense Related To Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									18	8	17
Tobacco and Health Judgment [Member] | Litigation Cases Results [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Provision related to litigation recorded									$ 113	$ 72	$ 88
Philip Morris USA [Member] | Engle Progeny Cases, Federal [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Increase (decrease) in deposit assets												$ 43