Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Schedule of Pre-tax Charges or (Gains) Included in Net Earnings Attributable to Altria Group, Inc.) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 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
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
NPM Adjustment Items	$ 0	$ 0	$ (77)	$ (68)	$ 0	$ 5	$ 0	$ (1)
Tobacco and health litigation items, including accrued interest	12	21	70	28	62	0	17	1
Asset impairment, exit, implementation and acquisition-related costs	532	(3)	6	3	12	17	30	30
Settlement charge for lump sum pension payments					81	0	0	0		$ 81
Loss (gain) on AB InBev/SABMiller business combination	0	0	0	33	0	(37)	(408)	0	$ 33	$ (445)	$ (13,865)
AB InBev special items	69	35	(72)	(117)	51	34	2	73
Pre-tax charges (gains) included in net earnings	$ 613	$ 53	$ (73)	$ (121)	$ 206	$ 19	$ (359)	$ 103