Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 5,647	$ 5,643
Cost of sales	1,792	1,795
Excise taxes on products	1,653	1,700
Gross profit	2,202	2,148
Marketing, administration and research costs	534	601
Asset impairment and exit costs	21	2
Amortization of intangibles	5	6
Operating income	1,642	1,539
Interest and other debt expense, net	293	278
Earnings from equity investment in SABMiller	(178)	(189)
Earnings before income taxes	1,527	1,450
Provision for income taxes	554	512
Net earnings	973	938
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1)
Net earnings attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 973	$ 937
Per share data:
Basic earnings per share attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 0.48	$ 0.45
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Altria Group, Inc.	$ 0.48	$ 0.45
Dividends declared	$ 0.41	$ 0.38

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as research and development costs and all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. Research and development costs represent the aggregate costs incurred during an accounting period to research and develop new products/technologies when the technological feasibility has not been reached. General and administrative expenses include salaries of nonsales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

No definition available.