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Other Comprehensive Earnings/Losses (Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of year | $ (1,378)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | $ (2,040)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | $ (1,887)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications | (2,294)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax |  | 817 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax |  | (512)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax |
Deferred income taxes | 858 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax |  | (350)mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax |  | 209 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (1,436)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |  | 467 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |  | (303)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings | 213 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax |  | 317 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax |  | 244 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax |
Deferred income taxes | (81)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax |  | (122)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax |  | (94)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes | 132 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax |  | 195 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax |  | 150 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes | (1,304)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | 662 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | (153)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
Balances at end of year | (2,682)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | (1,378)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | (2,040)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
SABMiller Plc [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of year | (105)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 372 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 173 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications | (881)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (740)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 303 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Deferred income taxes | 308 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 259 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (106)mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (573)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (481)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 197 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings | 59 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 6 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 3 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Deferred income taxes | (21)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (2)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (1)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes | 38 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 4 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 2 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes | (535)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember | [1] | (477)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember | [1] | 199 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember | [1]
Balances at end of year | (640)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (105)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 372 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of year | 0 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 2 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 2 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications | (2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | (2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Deferred income taxes | 0 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | (2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings | 0 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Deferred income taxes | 0 mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes | 0 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes | (2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | (2)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Balances at end of year | (2)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 2 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of year | (1,273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (2,414)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (2,062)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications | (1,411)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 1,559 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (815)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Deferred income taxes | 550 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (609)mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 315 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (861)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 950 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (500)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings | 154 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 311 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 241 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Deferred income taxes | (60)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (120)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (93)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes | 94 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 191 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 148 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Other comprehensive (losses) earnings, net of deferred income taxes | (767)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 1,141 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (352)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Balances at end of year | $ (2,040)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | $ (1,273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | $ (2,414)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
[1] | For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, Altria Group, Inc.’s proportionate share of SABMiller’s other comprehensive earnings/losses consisted primarily of currency translation adjustments.

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