Background And Basis Of Presentation (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Oct. 26, 2011 Altria Group, Inc. October 26, 2011 [Member]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		27.10%	27.10%
Planned share repurchase program	$ 1,000,000,000
Common stock repurchase amount authorized					1,000,000,000
Shares repurchased during period		14.8	37.6
Shares repurchased during period, value		$ 384,000,000
Average price of repurchased shares, per share		$ 25.93	$ 26.62
Increase in quarterly dividend		7.90%	7.90%
Dividend per common share		$ 0.41	$ 0.41	$ 0.38
Annualized dividend rate		$ 1.64	$ 1.64