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Other Comprehensive Earnings/Losses (Changes in Each Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of period | $ (2,682)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | $ (1,378)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | $ (1,378)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications | (472)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax |  | 51 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax |  |
Deferred income taxes | 164 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax |  | (18)mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (308)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |  | 33 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |  |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 72 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax |  | 44 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax |  |
Deferred income taxes | (27)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax |  | (17)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax |  |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes | 45 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax |  | 27 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes | (263)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | 60 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | (1,304)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Balances at end of period | (2,945)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | (1,318)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | (2,682)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of period | (2)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications | (1)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 |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 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 |  |
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 |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes | (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  |
Balances at end of period | (3)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 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 period | (2,040)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (1,273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (1,273)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Deferred income taxes | 0 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 0 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 68 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 41 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Deferred income taxes | (26)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (16)mo_ReclassificationfromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Amounts reclassified to net earnings, net of deferred income taxes | 42 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 25 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes | 42 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 25 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
Balances at end of period | (1,998)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (1,248)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  |
SABMiller Plc [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |
Balances at beginning of period | (640)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (105)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (105)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications | (471)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 51 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  |
Deferred income taxes | 164 mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | (18)mo_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossbeforeReclassificationsTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses) before reclassifications, net of deferred income taxes | (307)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 33 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 4 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 3 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  |
Deferred income taxes | (1)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 | 3 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | 2 us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (losses), net of deferred income taxes | (304)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember | [1] | 35 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember | [1] |
Balances at end of period | $ (944)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  | $ (70)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mo_SABMillerPlcMember |  |
[1] | For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Altria Group, Inc.’s proportionate share of SABMiller’s other comprehensive earnings/losses consisted primarily of currency translation adjustments.

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