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Contingencies Contingencies (MSA Term Sheet Agreement) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 24 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
May 31, 2013 state | Mar. 31, 2013 state | Mar. 31, 2015 state | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Jul. 01, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of States Joining Term Sheet | 2 mo_NumberofStatesJoiningSettlement |  | 24 mo_NumberofStatesJoiningSettlement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of States Not Joining Settlement |  | 15 mo_NumberofStatesNotJoiningTermSheet |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
States Not Diligently Enforcing Escrow Statutes |  |  | 6 mo_StatesNotDiligentlyEnforcingEscrowStatutes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
States Diligently Enforcing Escrow Statute |  |  | 9 mo_StatesDiligentlyEnforcingEscrowStatute |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of Signatory States Allocable Share of OPM Aggregate 2003-2012 NPM Adjustments Reduction of Future MSA Payments |  |  | 46.00%mo_PercentageOfSignatoryStatesAllocableShareOfOpmAggregate20032012NpmAdjustmentsReductionOfFutureMsaPayments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Earnings before income taxes |  |  | $ 1,562,000,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest | $ 1,806,000,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest |  |  |  |  |  |  |
PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Non-contested States to the 2003 Diligent Enforcement Claims |  |  | 14 mo_NumberofNoncontestedStatestothe2003DiligentEnforcementClaims / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Arbitration Panel Decision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected Litigation Settlement Interest |  |  | (89,000,000)mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Settlement Interest |  |  | (64,000,000)us-gaap_LitigationSettlementInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected Litigation Settlement Interest Not recorded |  |  | (25,000,000)mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementInterestNotrecorded / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | 2003 NPM Adjustment Amount [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  |  |  | 599,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2003NPMAdjustmentAmountMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Received As A Reduction To MSA payments |  |  |  |  | 579,000,000 mo_NPMAdjustmentReceivedAsAReductionToMSApayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2003NPMAdjustmentAmountMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount Expected To Be Received As A Reduction To MSA payments |  |  |  |  | 20,000,000 mo_AmountExpectedToBeReceivedAsAReductionToMSApayments / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2003NPMAdjustmentAmountMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Arbitration Panel Decision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected Litigation Settlement, Amount |  |  |  |  |  |  | 145,000,000 mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |
Appeals Bond Posted By Affiliate |  |  |  |  |  | 22,000,000 mo_AppealsBondPostedByAffiliate / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember | 483,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember | 519,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |
NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | 2013 Transition Year Adjustment [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  | 35,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2013TransitionYearAdjustmentMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | 2014 Transition Year Adjustment [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  | 41,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2014TransitionYearAdjustmentMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Indiana/Kentucky [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Arbitration Panel Decision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected Litigation Settlement, Amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 26,000,000 mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  | 54,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Settlement Interest |  |  | (17,000,000)us-gaap_LitigationSettlementInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |  |  | 17,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |
Earnings before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 26,000,000 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |
Indiana/Kentucky [Member] | NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  |  | 37,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  | 80,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember | 43,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |
Indiana/Kentucky [Member] | NPM Adjustment to Cost Of Sales [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | 2013 Transition Year Adjustment [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Adjustment Settlement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  | 3,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerAdjustmentSettlementMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2013TransitionYearAdjustmentMember / us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis = mo_NpmAdjustmentToCostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_IndianaKentuckyMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Missouri [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Arbitration Panel Decision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Settlement Amount Possible Refund to States |  |  | 12,000,000 mo_LitigationSettlementAmountPossibleRefundtoState / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_MO |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected Litigation Settlement Interest Possible Refund to State |  |  | 7,000,000 mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementInterestPossibleRefundtoState / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = stpr_MO |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining non-diligent states [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Arbitration Panel Decision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected Litigation Settlement, Amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 108,000,000 mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember
NPM Adjustment Items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 79,000,000 us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember
Litigation settlement, amount Recovery available if Successful on Appeal |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,000,000 mo_LitigationsettlementamountRecoveryavailableifSuccessfulonAppeal / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember
Projected Litigation Settlement Interest |  |  |  | (66,000,000)mo_ProjectedLitigationSettlementInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation Settlement Interest |  |  |  | (47,000,000)us-gaap_LitigationSettlementInterest / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected litigation settlement Interest Reduced Amount |  |  |  | (48,000,000)mo_ProjectedlitigationsettlementInterestReducedAmount / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Litigation settlement interest Recovery Available if Successful On Appeal |  |  |  | $ (18,000,000)mo_LitigationsettlementinterestRecoveryAvailableifSuccessfulOnAppeal / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining non-diligent states [Member] | Smokeable Products [Member] | PM USA [Member] | 2003 NPM Adjustment Amount [Member] | Non-Participating Manufacturer Arbitration Panel Decision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
States Not Diligently Enforcing Escrow Statutes |  |  | 4 mo_StatesNotDiligentlyEnforcingEscrowStatutes / dei_LegalEntityAxis = mo_PhilipMorrisUSAMember / us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis = mo_NonParticipatingManufacturerArbitrationPanelDecisionMember / us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis = mo_A2003NPMAdjustmentAmountMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mo_SmokeableProductsMember / us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis = mo_RemainingnondiligentstatesMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
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- Definition NPM Adjustment received As a reduction to MSA payments + References No definition available. + Details
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