Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Losses) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 6,007	$ 6,856	$ 6,619	$ 5,628	$ 6,114	$ 6,837	$ 6,305	$ 6,108	$ 25,110	$ 25,364	$ 25,576
Cost of sales									7,085	7,373	7,531
Excise taxes on products									5,314	5,737	6,082
Gross profit	3,084	3,497	3,319	2,811	2,922	3,255	3,141	2,936	12,711	12,254	11,963
Marketing, administration and research costs									2,226	2,756	2,338
Asset Impairment and Exit Costs									159	383	32
Operating (expense) income									10,326	9,115	9,593
Interest and other debt expense, net									1,280	665	705
Net periodic benefit (income) cost, excluding service cost									(37)	(34)	37
Earnings from equity investments									(1,725)	(890)	(532)
Impairment of JUUL equity securities	4,100	4,500	0	0					8,600	0	0
Loss on Cronos-related financial instruments									1,442	0	0
(Gain) loss on ABI/SABMiller business combination					0	0	0	33	0	33	(445)
Earnings (losses) before income taxes									766	9,341	9,828
Provision (benefit) for income taxes									2,064	2,374	(399)
Net earnings (losses)	(1,814)	(2,602)	1,997	1,121	1,251	1,944	1,877	1,895	(1,298)	6,967	10,227
Net (earnings) losses attributable to noncontrolling interests									5	(4)	(5)
Net earnings (losses) attributable to Altria	$ (1,809)	$ (2,600)	$ 1,996	$ 1,120	$ 1,250	$ 1,943	$ 1,876	$ 1,894	$ (1,293)	$ 6,963	$ 10,222
Per share data:
Basic earnings (losses) per share attributable to Altria (in usd per share)	$ (0.97)	$ (1.39)	$ 1.07	$ 0.60	$ 0.67	$ 1.03	$ 0.99	$ 1.00	$ (0.70)	$ 3.69	$ 5.31
Diluted earnings (losses) per share attributable to Altria (in usd per share)	$ (1.00)	$ (1.39)	$ 1.07	$ 0.60	$ 0.66	$ 1.03	$ 0.99	$ 1.00	$ (0.70)	$ 3.68	$ 5.31