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Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Amounts charged to expense for defined contribution plans | $ 82,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized | $ 80,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized | $ 81,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Emerging Markets [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 2.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = mo_EmergingMarketsMember |  |
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 33.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember |  |
Equity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Plan assets, target allocation percentage | 55.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |  |
Composition of plan assets | 55.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember |  |
Equity Securities [Member] | Emerging Markets [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis = mo_EmergingMarketsMember |  |
Fixed Income Securities [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Plan assets, target allocation percentage | 45.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember |  |
US Treasury And Foreign Government Securities [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 7.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = mo_UsTreasuryAndForeignGovernmentSecuritiesMember |  |
All other Investments [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_OtherThanSecuritiesInvestmentMember |  |
Below grade investments [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 9.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis = us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingNonInvestmentGradeMember |  |
Below grade investments [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Composition of plan assets | 19.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanWeightedAverageAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis = us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingNonInvestmentGradeMember |  |
Pension [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount Rate | 4.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Accumulated benefit obligation | 7,900,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 6,800,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Projected benefit obligation |  | 299,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateProjectedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | 261,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Fair Value of Plan Assets |  | 66,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Estimated net loss expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive losses during 2015 | 237,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Estimated prior service cost ( credit) expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive losses during 2014 | 7,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Projected benefit obligation | 8,330,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 7,137,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 7,924,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Employer contributions | 15,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 393,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Pension [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Employer contributions to its pension plan in 2015 | 20,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |
Pension [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Employer contributions to its pension plan in 2015 | 50,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |
Change in Mortality Assumptions for Pension Plans [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation | 401,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_ChangeInAssumptionsForPensionPlansMember |  |
Change in Assumptions for Postretirement Plans [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation | 110,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = mo_ChangeinAssumptionforPostretirementPlansMember |  |
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Discount Rate | 4.80%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 3.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 4.90%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRate / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Estimated net loss expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive losses during 2015 | 46,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Estimated prior service cost ( credit) expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive losses during 2014 | (39,000,000)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Projected benefit obligation | 2,613,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 2,317,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 2,663,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation | $ 152,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 162,000,000 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember |

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- Definition For defined benefit pension plans, the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation (if applicable) before that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. For plans with flat-benefit or nonpay-related pension benefit formulas, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Accumulated Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503844 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition 1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Projected Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522206 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503904 + Details
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- Definition The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to gain (loss) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to prior service cost (credit) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate pension accumulated benefit obligation for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 17 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34716465&loc=d3e4179-114921 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 + Details
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- Definition If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 17 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34716465&loc=d3e4179-114921 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 + Details
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- Definition If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate projected benefit obligation for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 17 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34716465&loc=d3e4179-114921 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 + Details
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- Definition Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Target allocation of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920 + Details
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- Definition Percentage of fair value of investments (categorized by debt securities, equity securities, real estate and other plan assets) to the fair value of plan assets held. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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