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Background And Basis Of Presentation (Policy)	3 Months Ended
Background And Basis Of Presentation (Policy)	Mar. 31, 2012
Background And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Comprehensive Earnings	Effective January 1, 2012, Altria Group, Inc. adopted new authoritative accounting guidance that eliminated the option of presenting components of other comprehensive earnings as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. With the adoption of this guidance, Altria Group, Inc. is reporting other comprehensive earnings in a separate statement immediately following the statement of earnings.