| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2408405 - Disclosure - Finance Assets, net (Schedule of Allowance for Losses on Finance Assets) (Details) (http://www.altria.com/role/FinanceAssetsNetScheduleOfAllowanceForLossesOnFinanceAssetsDetails) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000764180 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Receivables [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 | 2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31 | 2014-01-01 - 2014-12-31 | |
Receivables [Abstract] | |||
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward] | |||
Beginning balance | 42,000,000 | 42,000,000 | 52,000,000 |
Decrease to allowance | (10,000,000) | 0 | (10,000,000) |
Ending balance | 32,000,000 | 42,000,000 | 42,000,000 |