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Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Long-term debt repaid | $ 1,793,000,000 | $ 825,000,000 | $ 3,559,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Extinguishment of debt | 793,000,000 |  | 2,100,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | UST [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt Redeemed |  | $ 300,000,000 |
Stated interest rate |  | 5.75% |
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Extinguishment of debt | $ 800,000,000 |  | $ 2,100,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Change Of Control And Loss Of Investment Grade Rating [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Required purchase price as percentage of aggregate principal amount | 101.00% |  |
Notes Issued, 2008 and 2009 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Repayments of debt | $ 1,000,000,000 |  |
Subject to Credit Rating Step Up [Member] | Notes Issued, 2008 and 2009 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate principal amount | 3,400,000,000 |  |
Reported Value Measurement [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate value of Altria's total debt | 12,900,000,000 | $ 14,700,000,000 |
Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate value of Altria's total debt | $ 14,500,000,000 | $ 17,000,000,000 |

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