I believe this is because some cheapo residential switches are rated for a resistive load only, ie incandescent lamps and tends arc when switching a inductive load such as fluorescent lights, and motors.
Another reason might be the contacts in the switch opening/closing too slowly. The older switches were spring loaded and closed the contacts quickly even if you move the toggle slowly to prevent this problem(hence the snapping noise). Newer switches have a much weaker spring in them it reduces the snapping noise but this weaker spring won't open/close the contacts fast enough if you move the toggle slowly.
One way to prevent this is to use higher quality switches - box store dollar bin switches need not apply.
Also,
see this thread.